August 21

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. — Col 4:6 BSB

The New Testament says a lot about how we use our words.

Jesus spoke about careless words, reminding us that even idle words will be accounted for in judgment. Contemptuous words bring harsh consequences, and the words we speak ultimately test our lives—they either justify or condemn us.

Paul also addresses speech.

Here, we find a meaningful exhortation: our speech should always be gracious. Grace means our words should be fitting and beautiful. We should learn to speak in ways that are kind and gentle, with tones and manners that draw people in.

Grace also implies divine influence. Our words should be filled with love and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Jenny Lind once said she always sang with God. In the same way, Christians should speak as if speaking to God, aiming to please Him. Our speech should be “seasoned with salt,” meaning it should purify.

Our words should be pure, loving, gentle, helpful, and inspiring.