Salty Speech and Sacred Conversations
What the Bible Says About Preserving Relationships and Speaking with Intentional Grace
A Small Moment of Thought
For a time, after recovering from COVID, I had lost my sense of taste.
Thankfully, it came back after a few weeks. But the one thing that took longer for my taste buds to register was salt. I found myself using the salt shaker on everything so that I could get a hint of the flavor of the food I was eating.
This continued for about nine months until one day, after my usual heavy-handedness with the salt shaker, I found that my taste had returned. And the food I'd just salted, which yesterday would have been just right for tasting, was today WAY too salty. The salt wasn't different, but I was.
There are many references in scripture about salt. One specifically is Colossians 4:6. Just before that verse, Paul was encouraging the believers at Colossi in their behavior toward each other in their homes and also toward those who are “outsiders,” or people who are not Christ followers.
He follows up the encouragement with, "Let your speech be gracious and seasoned with salt…"
Salt has numerous uses, including preservation and enhancing flavor, which are two that we most likely think of first.
In the time that the Bible was written, salt was also used to seal agreements because it represented the strength and permanence of the deal. Salt was a valuable commodity since it was used to preserve food in the days before refrigeration.
Paul could be pointing to all of these factors when encouraging the believers to carry out speech seasoned with salt: preserve relationships, enhance the flavor of conversation, and communicate your integrity with the words you speak.
When it comes to seasoning, I couldn't help but think about my experience with my loss of taste and its return. At one point, the amount of salt I used was what I needed to enhance flavor, but later, it changed, and I needed a different amount.
In our speech with others, are we conscious of the seasoning to accommodate who we are speaking to? Are we mindful of how we speak appropriately to different individuals with their own peculiar needs with whom we come in contact?
If a friend is grieving the loss of a family member, we wouldn't have the same conversation with them as we would with someone who just landed their dream job. If someone is walking a dark road of depression we don't give them a cheery pep talk, we come alongside them and offer our presence and a few well-seasoned words.
Our conversations need to always be seasoned with the Spirit; the delivery of the salt just needs to look different depending on the individual's needs.
I'm an introvert, and the thought of trying to come up with a conversation gives me hives. But I love the simplicity that is given in this one verse - season your conversation with salt, and you'll know how to answer each person. We may not always get the words right - but if we are seeking the Spirit to sprinkle the right amount of salt through our words, we can be the love of Christ to those around us.
A Small Moment of Prayer
Our prayer this week comes from Colossians 4:6.
Are we intentional with the words we speak with others? Are we seeking God first before we have conversations with unbelievers or difficult discussions with a friend?
Father,
As your child, I am your representative to the world. When I claim you as my Father, I know that I need to be Your example of love, mercy, and grace to others. Give me Your Spirit's wisdom to know when to speak and that, when I do, it is seasoned in a way that draws others closer to You with a desire to know You more.
A Small Moment of Intention
The next time you are set to meet up with a friend, an acquaintance, or even a business meeting, take a few minutes to pray. Whether it's in your car in the coffee shop parking lot, at your work desk, or pausing to pray before the visitor shows up at your house. Even if you're looking forward to a casual meeting with friends, bring it to the Lord. Ask for Him to give you the right words to speak at the right time so that your conversation will be seasoned in a way that preserves relationships, enhances the flavor of conversation, and communicates your integrity with the words you speak.