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?