Greetings & Introduction
All my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Greetings to you and the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the Lord who is the source of all our morality, goodness and life to him be glory forever and ever, for he is worthy of it.
Today’s verse reminds us that our words are not mere words, but they are the testimony of our hearts. They are an outward presentation of the qualities and nature of our God. Therefore, we must use thoughtful and prudent words when we speak, because we are presenting our Lord to this lost world. No matter who asks us a question, our answer should be one that is full of peace, gentleness and spiritual understanding.
This teaching is beautifully given in Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
So let us take this verse to heart today and glorify the Lord in every conversation.
Title : When Grace Meets Speech
Book : Colossians
Author: Paul
Chapter: 4
Verse : 6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
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Colossians 4:6 - Commentary
Let Your Speech Always Be With Grace - This sentence is used by the apostle Paul to highlight a very important aspect of Christian behavior: purity and spirituality of speech. "Grace" here does not mean simply sweet or polite speech, but rather speech that is under the influence of God's grace. This speech should reflect the spiritual life we have in Christ. When a Christian speaks, it should reflect the gentleness, patience, kindness, and purity that God has placed in his heart. When Paul says "always," the word makes it clear that this is not a directive limited to special occasions. It is a permanent Christian quality that applies to every situation, to every person, and in every type of conversation. Whether the conversation is serious or casual, it should have a spiritual sweetness. That is, we should speak in a way that is spiritual, and in a way that reflects love, sincerity, and devotion.
Seasoned With Salt- This sentence is a very pithy metaphor in the style of the Bible. Salt has two main functions, one is to add flavor to food and the other is to protect something from staleness and decay. So Paul's intention here is that our speech should not only be sweet and gentle, but it should also have the flavor of wisdom, depth and truth. We can hear the same thing from the mouth of our Christ (Mark 9:50): "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves and live in peace with one another." But salt there meant spiritual awareness and purity. There is another meaning of this metaphor, our speech should not be dull and empty. Just speaking politely is not enough; it should also be meaningful, inspiring and spiritually alive. Because just as salt makes food tasty, God's grace makes conversation effective and beneficial. It is also necessary that our words are not perverse, obscene, or vile. But grace and salt together are to make our speech pure, meaningful, and spiritual.
That You May Know How You Ought To Answer Each One - This statement points to the purpose for which both of the above are necessary. It does not tell us only "what to say" but it emphasizes "how to say it." And this is very important for every Christian. Paul is saying this here especially in the context of those who do not believe. When talking to them, Christians must give an answer that is spiritually sober, that is clear and coherent, and that correctly reflects the Christian hope. This is especially important when someone questions our faith. This is said in 1 Peter 3:15. "But keep Christ as your Lord, holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give a defense to anyone who asks you about the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."
The words "Each One" here are very deep. This means that we may interact with all kinds of people: genuine seekers, skeptics, opponents, or mockers. Each person has different thoughts, feelings, and needs, and a Christian must have the spiritual discernment to respond to each person according to his situation and understanding.
In conclusion, Colossians 4:6 is a very powerful instruction for every Christian. It tells us that a Christian is identified not only by his actions but also by his speech. Our speech should always be full of grace, filled with wisdom and spiritual discernment, and humbly ready and able to answer everyone. This verse also reminds us that speech is a spiritual weapon that can either be used for the glory of God or lead to foolishness and sin. Therefore, a Christian must use his tongue with great spiritual discernment and under the guidance of the Spirit. So that his words become a source of both light and love.
Colossians 4:6 - Application to Life
Colossians 4:6 teaches us that our words are not just a means of communication, but a testimony of our faith and heart and an outward expression of our godly qualities and nature. Our speech reveals the condition of our soul and can have a lasting effect on others. Applying this verse to life requires self-control, spiritual discernment, and constant self-examination.
First, we must understand that every conversation is an opportunity to either draw someone to Christ or turn them away. When we practice speaking ‘always with grace,’ we avoid harshness, criticism, or empty jokes. This does not mean that we do not speak the truth, but that we express the truth with love and gentleness. Our speech should be not just gentle, but also with wisdom, taste, and spiritual discernment. This means that whatever we say should have purpose, direction, and should be used to build others up, not tear them down. Just as food without salt tastes bland, words without spiritual discernment and purpose are empty and ineffective.
Another practical aspect of this verse is that we learn to respond to each person according to his or her context. Not everyone can be approached in the same way. A seeker, a critic, a new believer, a victim, and an agnostic all require different approaches and language to communicate with. We need a prayerful mind and spiritual sensitivity so that we know what to say and how to say it at what time.
This verse also challenges us to examine our social media language, messaging, humor, and words spoken in a moment of anger. Are our words representative of Christ? Do they encourage others, or discourage them? Do we engage in criticism or sarcasm, or do we glorify God even with our words? The practice of living out this verse makes us more peaceful, listening, and thoughtful speakers. The fruit of this will be seen in our relationships whether in our family, church, workplace or in the world outside. Speech that is full of grace and seasoned with salt is not only helpful to the listener, but also evidence of the spiritual health of the speaker.
Finally, the application of this verse is not just a moral discipline. It is the result of the maturity of the soul. As we grow in a deeper relationship with the Lord, our speech also becomes a reflection of that. So the first and most essential step to living out this verse is to walk in the Spirit every day, and to be in fellowship with Christ, so that our speech comes from the depths of our heart, and from a heart that is filled with God’s grace.
Colossians 4:6 - Prayer
O source of grace, my loving God,
I bless your holy name, for you are the one who touches our hearts with your grace and gives wisdom to our tongues in weighing their words. Lord, today I bow my head at your feet and ask that you fill my speech with your grace.
Just as you taught in your Word that our speech should always be graceful and seasoned with salt, may my tongue also speak with your love, your truth and your spiritual wisdom. May my speech never be bitter, impure or useless, but pure, purposeful and useful to others. O spiritual teacher, give me the humility that makes speech soft, and the wisdom that teaches to answer according to the time and the person.
When I meet those who are far from you, may my words be a means of bringing them closer to you. When I answer a seeker, may my words not be just wisdom but the presence of your Spirit. When an opponent speaks harshly, let me respond with the meekness of Christ, not with anger. Lord, make my tongue like the tongue you made of your disciples, which always proclaims your glory and spreads your light in the world.
Lord Jesus, you are the one whose words amazed the crowds, whose words are life-giving. Make me like that, so that my words touch not only ears but also souls. Let my speech be the salt that adds sweetness to truth, that balances holiness with humor, and that nourishes the soul with thoughts. Make my heart worthy so that my tongue, my behavior, and my thoughts are all in harmony with you. Be my conscience, you guide my language, and you bless people with my words. I pray this in the name of Christ Jesus, the source of all grace and truth.
Amen.
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