Colossians 4 - 7.29.25
SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 4:6
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
OBSERVATION
Paul is writing to give instructions about Christian conduct. In this scripture, he highlights how we should speak to others.
He highlights how our conversation should always be full of grace. When we speak, our words need to come from God’s grace of love, forgiveness and full acceptance. Although we are all undeserving of His grace, our speech can emulate this grace when we speak with kindness, love, and gentleness.
Our speech should also be seasoned with salt. Today we know that salt serves a variety of purposes but the most common use is to bring out the flavor in food. If you’ve ever tasted something without any seasoning, you know it’s bland and not appealing. It serves no purpose and leaves the wrong impression. When it comes to our speech, “seasoned with salt” can mean our words are enhanced as a benefit to the hearer. Each word Is savory and leaves the hearer having a closer understand of Christ’s love.
When our conversation is full of grace and seasoned with salt, this implies that our words should be thought out to give the proper account of our faith. Using grace in conversations means we need to wisely choose our words so the other person is uplifted, encouraged and edified. Salt allows for our conversations to be savory, interesting, morally wholesome and acceptable to the hearer.
“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.” 1 Peter 3:15-16
“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.” Ephesians 4:29
APPLICATION
It’s easy to apply these principles to people we love but what about how we talk with acquaintances, neighbors, and anyone else we encounter in our day-to-day life? Are we showing God’s mighty grace, His wisdom, His love? Is the content and manner we speak giving God glory or point to the world’s view? Our words matter in so many ways. They can build up or break down. Someone can be edified or crushed to their core. Is our speech showing God’s love and forgiveness or our frustration in the moment?
Part of our reading today included Proverbs 18. This section had some correlating topics on using words and the outcome of using them in the wrong way:
Proverbs 18:2 - Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
Proverbs 18:4 - The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
Proverbs 18:6-8 - The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
Proverbs 18:13 - To answer before listening — that is folly and shame.
When I think of our ability to use words to glorify God, share the Gospel, encourage others, and leave a lasting impression, we’re using and choosing our words with grace, just the right amount of salt, and can give an answer to everyone regarding our faith.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your everlasting word. Help me to live out everything to your glory. When it comes to my speech, I pray it always points to you, is encouraging, and benefits all those who are listening. Please forgive me for those times where I’ve said things that have caused the other person to be hurt. Help me to be mindful of your Spirit’s leading when speaking to others. Lead me to say what you want to be shared – not my words but your words. In Jesus name. Amen!
- Mary Oberg
