In Col 4:6 bible instructs us to let our speech be always be with grace, seasoned with salt that we may know how to answer every man. In other words, there is a mandate upon us to ensure that we always utter seasoned speech. This necessarily begs the question, what is seasoned speech?
When
we speak of the term “seasoned speech”, the impression that some have is that
speech should be made to sound better, or to be twisted a little. To others it
means something that is not true, or that is exaggerated. However, that is not
the meaning intended in scriptures. Seasoning in this context connotes the idea
of our speech being kept free of corruption. That is basically why salt is
mentioned in the verse. In bible times and even today salt was (and is still)
used as a preservative and to keep something from corruption. As believers we
ought to have speech that is not corrupt or polluted.
The
admonition in Col 4:6 about how our speech ought to be would be better
understood in the light of the context of the foregoing verses/chapters of the
book of Colossians, particularly Chapter 3.
There we see the believer as being raised in Christ (Col 3:1-3), founded
on the fact that we experienced the benefits of the death and resurrection of Christ.
Flowing from the foregoing fact, other portions of Col 3 focus on the reality
of the new man, the renewal of the new man, the relationships of the new man,
the routine of the new man, and the regimen of the new man, and which
ultimately led to the focus on prayer, the effects of prayer, and the
importance of walking in wisdom in Col 4:2 & 5. It is against this
background that we are instructed on the kind of words or speech that should
emanate from our mouths.
Although
we may not always realize it, our words/speech matter a lot. Several times in
scriptures we see an indication of the kind of speech that should proceed from
our mouths and the type that should not. A few examples would suffice at this
juncture. Rom 12:14 forbids the believer from cursing, but rather to bless.
Large portions of 1 Cor 12 & 14, essentially focuses on what should proceed
from a believer’s mouth, albeit in the context of the manifestation of
spiritual gifts. Ephesians 4:29 forbids the believer from uttering corrupt
communication. Ephesians 5:4 forbids the believer from using dirty, foolish or
filthy words. 1 Tim 4:12 exhorts the believer to set a good example in a number
of ways, which include his speech. 2 Tim 2:24 instructs the believer HOW he/she
ought to express the message of the gospel. James 1:26 emphasises the
importance of controlling our tongues (speech). The cumulative outlook that can
be gathered from the foregoing is the fundamental nature of our speech. Just
like a thermometer, when put in the mouth could be used to gauge the
temperature of the entire body, a person’s speech can reflect who a person
really is. It has been said that an average person uses an average of 25,000
words daily. If we are to publish that, it could make up a 54-page book. This
should make us ask ourselves the question, “what kind of book are we publishing
daily”?
James
3 exhaustively teaches on the importance of our words. It reveals that our
words have the potential to condemn or being judgment upon us (This does not of
course refer to eternal damnation/going to hell, for from that the believer has
been delivered by appropriating the merits of Christ death and resurrection
-John 5:24,Rom 8:1,33-39, 1Thes 1:10,5:9). That is why teachers of the word of
God have will be held to a stricter judgment because of the tremendous
influence they wield (James 3:1). Although God places premium on the preaching
of the word (2 Tim 4:1-4), because of the tremendous influence preachers wield
and in view of giving account to God in respect of those that come under that
influence (Heb 13:17), abundant caution must be taken with regard to what is
said.
James
3:1-8 focuses on the power of the tongue/words and accentuates the serious
effect of the words we speak and its spreading influence. A number of scriptures
illustrate the foregoing. Job 19:2 reveals the fact that words can crush/break
a person. Ps 57:4 & Ps 64:3 reveals that our words can injure another
person like a sharp sword pierce the body. Haman’s lying words put the whole
nation of Jews at risk of death (Est 3:8-11). The words of the princes of Ammon
caused King Hanun to mistreat David’s emissaries and eventually led to war
between them (2 Sam 10:1-19). Absalom was able to instigate rebellion and
conspire against his father David with the words he used to steal the hearts of
the people. John the Baptist and Jesus were killed because of the lying words
the Pharisees uttered against them. Even Peter, after uttering gracious of
words about Jesus true identity (Mt 16:16), about the true identity of Jesus,
later went on to use lying words and even curses to dissociate himself from
Jesus (Mt 26:68-75). Also, Witnesses have the power to condemn a person to
death or preserve lives based on what they say, hence the saying “death and
life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21). In our contemporary times
several children grow up depressed, lacking in confidence and low self-esteem
because of the kind of words their parents used to speak to them.
The
words we speak should reflect our identities as new creations. If as Christians
the words we speak are not seasoned, then it is an aberration. It means there
is something wrong somewhere. It is an aberration for a believer to utter words
that are unbecoming of a Christian hence the analogy of the impossibility of a
fountain giving forth bitter and sweet water at the same time, or a fig tree
bearing olive berries(James 3:10-12). In other words, if our life and speech is
characterized by that it is an aberration, and may be indicator as to who a
person really is.
Why are our words unseasoned?
A
Christian speaking like an unbeliever (e.g using swear words) did not just make
a mistake, or suddenly find himself in such a situation. Matthew 12:33-35 gives
us an indicator of the major cause and at the same time points to the solution.
It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Prov 423). When
a person’s words are bad, it is because the person has a bad heart. The truth
is we will never say words we never learnt, save by the working of the Spirit,
psychiatric disorder, and in the case of unbelievers, demonization. When the
heart is bad, it is not only a person’s words that will have a problem, even
his actions will be negatively affected.
How can our words be seasoned?
·
We
must guard our hearts with all diligence (4:23):
If we do not guard our hearts and ensure
that what is stored within and meditated on are wholesome, our speech will be
bad. Php 4:8 instructs us to meditate on – things that are true, honest, just,
pure, lovely, of good report, things virtuous and praiseworthy. Nothing better
suits these qualities than the word of God? We must fill our hearts will God’s word (Col
3:16), and be cautious about what we allow into our hearts ( e.g. what we hear,
see, read, learn).
·
We
must consider the effect of our words:
We should ponder on what effect the words will utter will have on people, or
circumstances. The problem is we do not carefully consider the foregoing and
say things in reaction to circumstances, which we did not intend to say or remember
we said. Paul’s abusive words to the High priest (which he immediately repented
of) after he was slapped of is a good illustration (Acts 23:1-5). Many issues
in our relationships, work or even within the church, will be resolved if
reactionary words, tale-bearing, back-biting are avoided
.
·
We
should resolve to say what is helpful (Eph 4:29):
Col
4:6, Eph 4:29 gives us an indication of what we should say – words that edify,
words that are gracious, wholesome, unadulterated, unpolluted, pure and that have
good effect. We would not find ourselves saying this word except there has been
a firm resolve to follow that path.
Conclusion
Our
words good or bad have an effect (Prov 18:20). It may be words spoke in
private, but may have tremendous effect beyond our control. Scriptures enjoin
us to match our words with the new nature born after God that we have in
Christ. Consequently we should only produce good fruits in terms of the words
that proceed from our mouths. When we do so we will avoid the bad effects of
our speech, and also see the positive effects of our good words on people. It
would be good if parents rather than say words that will damage children, to
express through their words how special they are, or how they are gifts to the
world. How much better would it be to say words that will continually edify
people, and bless and glorify God, than words that are not seasoned?
