“Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].” Colossians 4:6
One morning, on a recent visit to my in-laws, I offered to cook breakfast. As I was getting things going, I jokingly asked, “Where do you keep your jar of bacon grease?” Laughter followed. After all, we were in New Jersey and not North Carolina where seasoning food is a southern necessity. Every cook in the South knows that when it comes to cooking, everything’s got to be seasoned “really good!” Your choice of seasoning may vary depending on what you’re cooking. Collards, cabbage, and turnip greens all need the salt from some type of meat like cured ham, fatback or bacon. There’s just something about the salt that just brings out the flavor and makes it some kind of delicious.
Paul tells us in Colossians to use some seasoning when it comes to our words. It’s amazing what you can say and what point you can get across to someone just based on the way you say it. Advice, instruction, correction and even a different point of view can all be shared and received when seasoning is added.
One of the hallmarks of being a believer is how we choose to use our words. With just a little taste of how we speak, the world around us can quickly tell if we are of the Lord’s family or not, especially when we are challenged in our areas of belief. Instead of being defensive or harsh, the Holy Spirit wants to be our “Seasoner,” so that what we say reflects Christ and His heart of grace.
Today, let’s allow Him to help us use plenty of seasoning when it comes to what we say, so that those around us can receive it and give glory to God.