Colossians 4:5-6 (KJV)
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
The scripture calls us to walk in wisdom and speak with language that is “seasoned with salt” reflecting God’s grace. James 3:11 says sweet and bitter waters do not come out of the same fountain. (Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?) As a regenerated being, your words should reflect the presence of the Spirit of God in you. They should uplift, encourage, inspire, and build. Your words should be consistent with your nature of righteousness.
Does that mean we will not be required to speak abrasive truth at times? No. In James 3:13, the Bible says, who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Have you heard or read some difficult truths being presented with seasoned graciousness? The message can be cutting, yet edifying and life-giving. This kind of communication requires God’s wisdom and submission to His Spirit; it is not possible apart from Him.
We have been saved by the “word of life” Jesus Christ; therefore, we need to speak the words of life even in the most challenging situations. Speak truth truthfully and lovingly even when addressing difficult subjects. Do not choose words that destroy, pollute, or poison others. The more difficult the issue, the more careful the choice of words. In other words, “Say what you mean, mean what you say, and never be mean when you say it.” Jesus said, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:37).
It is far better when someone is impacted by the truth because of how it is presented rather than despise it. When your speech is seasoned, you are displaying the wisdom of God that is in you.
“Seasoned with salt”? What does that mean? The Greek word translated as “seasoned” is “artuó”. It means to make ready, to season (food). In usage, it is translated as “to arrange, to make ready, to season or to flavor”.
In the context of the theme scriptures “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without and the subsequent phrase “so that you will know how you ought to answer each person” Being “seasoned” means to be prepared and ready. It suggests that we should anticipate opportunities and be thoughtful about how to answer the people we encounter.
How then can we do this? We need to saturate ourselves with the Word of God. What fills our hearts will surely come out of our mouths.
Luke 6:45
45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that, which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Pray for wisdom in your speech.
James 1:5
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
I say if you are to speak on any topic, ensure to have adequate knowledge about it and most importantly let your opinion be Bible-based if not first leave it. You will speak on it at another given opportunity.
Speak according to the need of the moment as the Spirit carries you along.
Ecclesiastes 3:7 says that there is “a time to keep silence and a time to speak” and James 1:19 says; … let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Believers should know how to say the right thing at the right time, all for God’s glory.
Yes, be fearless in your worship of God but remain cautious on how you present yourself as you are an ambassador of Christ and everything you do is referenced back to Him. Always remember we are called to win souls and not arguments. You can win the argument and lose the soul. So, focus on God, He will help you respond to everyone the right way.
Colossians 3:17
17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Prophetic Utterance:
My words are filled with grace, power, and wisdom just like the Word of God. My words edify my hearers, producing in them the righteousness of God.
Guiding text:
1 Peter 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to answer every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: