"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
In his letter to the believers in Colossi, the Apostle Paul told them to be very careful in the way that they speak and act towards those who are unsaved. He encouraged them to act and speak in such a way so as to be an example of how one ought to speak and act. That was they could make the most of every opportunity to win others to Christ. He told them to let the grace of God guide their tongues, and let all that they say be helpful. They should know exactly what to say to anyone who wants to know why they believe as they do.
Our behavior should always be Christ-like, and so should our speech. The tongue is a very powerful organ, but it can do a lot of damage. It can cut someone, it can crush someone, and it can tear someone to shreds. (James 3:5-8) We should be very careful with what we say, and how we say it. Non-believers will judge all believers by what they see in us, and what they hear from us. We should think, and pray, before we speak, so that our words will be helpful and not harmful. Our words should be seasoned with salt. Salt adds flavor, but it also has a purifying effect. Bacteria do not grow in a salty environment. Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13) We should add a Christ-like flavor to the world, and we should be a purifying influence in sinful world. Jesus said that salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, it is good for nothing. (Mark 9:50 and Luke 14:34) We should be able to respond appropriately, and in a Christ-like manner, to all who we converse with. Our conversation should always be full of grace and seasoned with salt.
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