Conversations Are Supposed To Be Full of Grace And Seasoned With Salt..What Does That Mean?
Anonymous writes…
In colossians 4 it says that conversations are supposed to be full of grace and seasoned with salt. What does that mean?i I love the book of colossians, especially chapter 3. I’m trusting God to help me be how that chapter says, but what can I do?
Trophy of Grace replies…
You are referring to Colossians 4:6. However to understand verse six we must go back to verse 5. Here is how it reads out of the the New Living Translation or NLT:
“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
When I am studying the Word I like to take the time to read different translations so that I get a better understanding of the verses. I like to studying out of the NLT and will often switch to the Amplified.
Here is Colossians 4:5-6 out of the Amplified.
“Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.
6Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].”
Sister these are very evil days and there is a spiritual batte going on. We as Christians were saved for a purpose. We were saved for service, to be Christ ambassadors, to do the good things He planned for us long ago. God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him. He gave us the message of the gospel, the message of reconciliation. God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead to others, “Come back to God!. (Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21) Our lives the way we act, talk, and live is a testimony of our faith to non-Christians. Colossians 4:5-6 is exhorting us to live wisely among non-Christians. We are supposed to live godly lives so that others will see and be drawn to Christ in us. Our words should be edifying and encouraging. Not negative, fearful, foul or full of cursing. When others hear us confessing words of faith and hope they will want to know why are we different and so full of hope. They will be drawn by the Holy Spirit in us to ask us questions that we need to be prepared to answer in love, with patience, gentleness, compassion, understanding, and uncompromising truth.
We are supposed to be the salt in the world. Salt gives flavor and purifies. Jesus spoke about this in Mark 9:50,
“Salt is good (beneficial), but if salt has lost its saltness, how will you restore [the saltness to] it? Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace and live in harmony with one another.” (Amplified Bible)
Jesus was emphasizing our need as believers to remain holy. When we compromise living holy and pure lives we cease to further the Kingdom of God because we are not positively influencing society.
Here are some other verses that I think line up with Colossians 4:5-6 & Mark 9:50.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.” (Amplified Bible)
1 Peter 3:15-16 “15But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.
16[And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear (unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives].” (Amplified Bible)
Ephesians 5:15-16 “Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
16Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.”
Regarding Colossians chapter 3. I love this chapter too! Our Lord is constantly bring me back here to verses 12-17. As far as how can you become more like how this chapter describes? I would say that the more you read it the more you will be renewing your mind with it. This is how we let God transform us into new people who do His will. (Romans 12:2) I love what Philippians 2:13 says,
“Fod God is working in you, giving you the desire AND the POWER to do what pleases Him.”
You keep reading and studying His Word sister. Allow it to take root in your heart and you will increase in wisdom, love, and understanding. You will be transforming yourself into the image of Christ and your life will manifest it. You are on the right track. Keep pressing forward sister and stay on the narrow road!
Sincerely,
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