Seasoned

Colossians 4:6 NIV Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Maybe the most important aspect of any recipe is seasoning. Whether you like your food on the spicy side or not, seasoning is what makes any meal an enjoyable dining experience. Seasoning enhances the flavor of food, adds aroma, and transforms bland ingredients into something to savor. In Colossians 4:6, Paul gives us specific instructions concerning how we are to season our conversations.

“Always” makes people uncomfortable. Always doesn’t allow for exceptions, and we like wiggle room. It is easier to meet a standard of speaking graciously ‘most of the time to some of the people,’ but God doesn’t give us that option. Scripture sets the standard for conversation, always with grace.

The dictionary defines speech that is gracious as courteous, kind, and pleasant. But conversations full of grace are more than just being polite. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs so that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). Gracious words are encouraging, beneficial, persuasive (Proverbs 16:21), anointed (Psalm 45:2), pure, and sweet to the soul (Proverbs 15:26). Grace-filled speech is not something we just create; our words are an overflow of our heart, “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45). Every day you see this overflow in every form of conversation and social media.

Conversations that are seasoned with salt are the result of a heart surrendered and transformed by the Holy Spirit. Grace-filled speech is empowered by the Holy Spirit to lead others to know the Father by way of repentance and salvation. When our conversations are grace-filled, the world will take notice and hunger to know our God; and we must be ready to respond. 1 Peter 3:15 states, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with kindness, gentleness, and respect.” God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4) and to fully knowing Him.

But why salt? Salt was a valuable commodity, not only used for seasoning but also for preserving. Conversations that are seasoned with God’s truth stand up over time. Jesus told the disciples, “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). The words of Jesus are well preserved and still alive, active, and sharper than any double-edged sword. Luke 4:22 says, “All spoke well of Jesus and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.” His words were not soft, but they were well-seasoned.

The opposite of grace-filled speech is grumbling and complaining, and God hates it. He takes all of it personally. When the Israelites thought they were simply grumbling at Moses, at his leadership and authority, they were really grumbling at God. In Numbers 14:27, God said, "How long shall I bear with those who are grumbling against Me? I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me." They were doubting His promises and faithfulness. Satan’s tactics have not changed since his conversation with Eve in the garden. He wants us to doubt God’s character, the truth of his words, and his goodness. He wants us to believe that God could do more but is holding out on us. “Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” (Philippians 2:14-15)

The content and tone of our words should always impact those around us for the better. We live in a world that desperately needs to see Jesus in our words and actions. So remember…pass the salt. 

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Proverbs 25:11-12 NASB Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Proverbs 13:3 NASB The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 18:20-21 NASB With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Ephesians 4:29 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Proverbs 10:19-21 NLT Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 NIV Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

Mark 9:50 NLT Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.

Proverbs 15:4 NIV The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:7 NIV The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.

Colossians 3:12-17 NASB So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Proverbs 16:21-24 NLT The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 NASB Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him.

Psalms 71:15, 23-24 NASB My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And of Your salvation all day long; For I do not know the sum of them. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; And my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also will utter Your righteousness all day long.