“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)

There is clear and concise biblical documentation concerning the power and potential of the tongue and how we use it to produce the words that we speak. The words of our speech have the power to break someone’s spirit, wreak havoc on a person’s self esteem, assassinate ones character, and emit poisonous venom that can ultimately destroy relationships between fellow believers in the body of Christ. “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8 (NKJV) While no man can tame the tongue, the word of God has the ultimate power to temper it by providing us with the wisdom and the discretion on how to use it properly. We are often too quick to give someone a “piece of our mind.” Be careful, because at some point there may not be enough pieces left to go around. Watch what you say with your mouth because it is a reflection of what is in your heart. (See Matthew 12:34)

In this section of Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae he singles out three valuable ingredients that should characterize the life of every believer. First there should be persevering prayer. (Verses 2-4) Secondly, there should be a lifestyle of discreet behavior and diligent service. (Verse 5) Finally, we should maintain winsome and wholesome speech in our communication with one another and those who are part of the world system that we live in but live apart from. We arrive at this place of growth and maturity in the faith when we understand and recognize the preeminence of Jesus Christ our Lord. This simply means that we hold Him in the highest esteem and priority in our life. “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18 (NKJV) When Christ becomes preeminent in “all things”, He becomes paramount in our life not only when we are in worship, at a prayer meeting, or Bible study, but He becomes the main concern regarding how we live.

We live in a world where it has become commonplace to slander, malign, ridicule, gossip, and verbally abuse others. This should not become common for the child of God. Our speech should have the characterization of God’s grace or “favor” upon those with whom we speak. And so it should. “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up.” Ecclesiastes 10:12 (NKJV) Our words should be tempered with grace, and at the same time “seasoned” with salt. “Seasoned with salt” is a metaphoric phrasing that means our speech and the way we communicate should be “appropriate and proper.” It should never be harsh, rude, insensitive, arrogant, or condescending. The reason is simple. Someone is looking to us to provide an answer or words of encouragement that will build them up as opposed to tearing them down.

If the declaration of our speech fails to match the confession of our faith then our witness will be severely damaged and our testimony greatly effected. Paul suggests that we should know how to answer each one. Each one means everyone who seeks a word from us in the season when they need it the most. It is our obligation and responsibility as believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)