A Lenten Reflection
Seasoned Speech
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:6
Words have such power; they impart authority, they convey knowledge, they can sooth and heal, or tear apart and destroy.
And we use them so casually....often, so carelessly.
Look at how many people are driven to suicide by cruel jests and hateful words. The everyday usage of social media has only increased the spread of tormenting exchanges, as cowards hide behind keyboards, shouting out into cyberspace what they'd dare not whisper face to face. It is a grim reality for so many now, that bullies follow them into their own houses, and jump out from computer and phone screens.
People often use derisive and cutting words in "friendly" exchanges (especially via the internet) when disagreements arise over faith, politics, lifestyles....even sports. Irreparable harm can be done to friendships and relationships because words are hurled, not offered, full of venom and judgment, instead of grace and understanding.
We do not have to agree with what someone is saying to still show them we care, even in disagreement. We can listen (so often overlooked) and then with reasoned, careful response show that though we may not agree with their viewpoint, we still value and treasure them.
This takes practice. (And we are so often lazy.) This takes restraint. (When so often we like to push our way through any situation.) And this takes truly valuing the people we enter into any exchange with......(So often we are most concerned about valuing ourselves, am I correct?)
It is especially important for Christians, who are ambassadors for our Lord, to practice speech filled with grace, and to show those with whom we are dealing with that we value them. That we know they have an inherent importance to us because we know they are made in the image of God, and we show them that importance by how we interact with them.
There are people who name themselves Christians who utter hateful, baleful speech to those who disagree with them on theology, politics and social issues.....and they are not doing the work of the Lord in these interactions. (I dare say, they very well may be doing someone else's work!)
People are finicky, easily hurt, even easier angered....and most folks will only take your opinion somewhat seriously if there are one of three conditions: a) someone has power over them, b) the speaker is someone they admire/idolize, or c) the person speaking cares about them, and the listener knows that. In most instances, Average Joe Christian has no authority or power over someone, and Average Joe is just that, average...so most likely he's not idolized or exceedingly admired. That means that if Average Joe wants to be Christ's Ambassador to the fullest and best of his ability, to reach a lost world with the message of the Gospel, then he has to care about the people he's talking with....and that caring has to be so real, so evident, that the target audience can feel it.
And Average Joe won't convey any of that if he's using hateful words. He'll only push the lost away from Christ, he certainly won't draw them nearer.
This is why it is so important that our words, our speech, "always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Matthew Henry's commentary has this to say, "Let all your discourse be as becomes Christians, suitable to your profession—savory, discreet, seasonable.” .... it must be always with grace; and, though the matter of our discourse be that which is common, yet there must be an air of piety upon it and it must be in a Christian manner seasoned with salt. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, makes it savory, and keeps it from corrupting. That you may know how to answer every man. One answer is proper for one man, and another for another man Prov. 26:4, 5. We have need of a great deal of wisdom and grace to give proper answers to every man, particularly in answering the questions and objections of adversaries against our religion, giving the reasons of our faith....."
How we talk to one another, whether in person or through a keyboard, is so important. Our words can heal, they can bring peace, they can convey love, or they can be harsh, discordant and brash. The Christian should strive to show each person we encounter a measure of grace, of understanding, of compassion...for our words should reveal how Christ has transformed our hearts. If we are His, then let His love pour through our words. If we are His, let His light shine out of us.
"Where grace is in the heart, the tongue will likewise be bridled by the law of LOVE. If we love our neighbor—can we lightly speak evil of him, magnify his failings, or use provoking or insulting language to him? Love thinks no evil—but bears, hopes and endures. Love acts by the golden rule, to "Do unto others—what you would like them to do unto you." Those who are under the influence of Christian love, will be gentle and compassionate, disposed to make the most favorable allowances, and of course their tongues will be restrained from the language of malevolence, harsh censure, and slander—which are as familiar to us as our mother tongue—until we are made partakers of the grace of God." - John Newton
What do your words reveal of your heart?
On towards the Cross,
-Beth Haynes Butler
Seasoned Speech
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:6
Words have such power; they impart authority, they convey knowledge, they can sooth and heal, or tear apart and destroy.
And we use them so casually....often, so carelessly.
Look at how many people are driven to suicide by cruel jests and hateful words. The everyday usage of social media has only increased the spread of tormenting exchanges, as cowards hide behind keyboards, shouting out into cyberspace what they'd dare not whisper face to face. It is a grim reality for so many now, that bullies follow them into their own houses, and jump out from computer and phone screens.
People often use derisive and cutting words in "friendly" exchanges (especially via the internet) when disagreements arise over faith, politics, lifestyles....even sports. Irreparable harm can be done to friendships and relationships because words are hurled, not offered, full of venom and judgment, instead of grace and understanding.
We do not have to agree with what someone is saying to still show them we care, even in disagreement. We can listen (so often overlooked) and then with reasoned, careful response show that though we may not agree with their viewpoint, we still value and treasure them.
This takes practice. (And we are so often lazy.) This takes restraint. (When so often we like to push our way through any situation.) And this takes truly valuing the people we enter into any exchange with......(So often we are most concerned about valuing ourselves, am I correct?)
It is especially important for Christians, who are ambassadors for our Lord, to practice speech filled with grace, and to show those with whom we are dealing with that we value them. That we know they have an inherent importance to us because we know they are made in the image of God, and we show them that importance by how we interact with them.
There are people who name themselves Christians who utter hateful, baleful speech to those who disagree with them on theology, politics and social issues.....and they are not doing the work of the Lord in these interactions. (I dare say, they very well may be doing someone else's work!)
People are finicky, easily hurt, even easier angered....and most folks will only take your opinion somewhat seriously if there are one of three conditions: a) someone has power over them, b) the speaker is someone they admire/idolize, or c) the person speaking cares about them, and the listener knows that. In most instances, Average Joe Christian has no authority or power over someone, and Average Joe is just that, average...so most likely he's not idolized or exceedingly admired. That means that if Average Joe wants to be Christ's Ambassador to the fullest and best of his ability, to reach a lost world with the message of the Gospel, then he has to care about the people he's talking with....and that caring has to be so real, so evident, that the target audience can feel it.
And Average Joe won't convey any of that if he's using hateful words. He'll only push the lost away from Christ, he certainly won't draw them nearer.
This is why it is so important that our words, our speech, "always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Matthew Henry's commentary has this to say, "Let all your discourse be as becomes Christians, suitable to your profession—savory, discreet, seasonable.” .... it must be always with grace; and, though the matter of our discourse be that which is common, yet there must be an air of piety upon it and it must be in a Christian manner seasoned with salt. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, makes it savory, and keeps it from corrupting. That you may know how to answer every man. One answer is proper for one man, and another for another man Prov. 26:4, 5. We have need of a great deal of wisdom and grace to give proper answers to every man, particularly in answering the questions and objections of adversaries against our religion, giving the reasons of our faith....."
How we talk to one another, whether in person or through a keyboard, is so important. Our words can heal, they can bring peace, they can convey love, or they can be harsh, discordant and brash. The Christian should strive to show each person we encounter a measure of grace, of understanding, of compassion...for our words should reveal how Christ has transformed our hearts. If we are His, then let His love pour through our words. If we are His, let His light shine out of us.
"Where grace is in the heart, the tongue will likewise be bridled by the law of LOVE. If we love our neighbor—can we lightly speak evil of him, magnify his failings, or use provoking or insulting language to him? Love thinks no evil—but bears, hopes and endures. Love acts by the golden rule, to "Do unto others—what you would like them to do unto you." Those who are under the influence of Christian love, will be gentle and compassionate, disposed to make the most favorable allowances, and of course their tongues will be restrained from the language of malevolence, harsh censure, and slander—which are as familiar to us as our mother tongue—until we are made partakers of the grace of God." - John Newton
What do your words reveal of your heart?
On towards the Cross,
-Beth Haynes Butler
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