“Let your conversation be always
full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6
Paul provides a recipe here for our words with others:
- Full of grace
- Seasoned with salt
The context is interaction with “outsiders” – or unbelievers. Every interaction we have is an opportunity to influence what those in our world think about Jesus.
Are you and I representing Christ well in our conversations with “outsiders?”
If you have never been to Mongolia, never had a conversation or interaction with a Mongolian,
know nothing about the country or it’s ways … and a woman from Mongolia moves in next
door, you (rightly or wrongly) may form beliefs about the entire country and all the people of
Mongolia based solely on the behaviors, actions, attitudes, and words of your new neighbor.
For many people, you and I are the “woman from Mongolia” when it comes to the Christian
faith. Rightly or wrongly, non-believers may be forming opinions about Jesus based upon our
behaviors, actions, attitudes, and words.
Let’s ponder conversations with those outside the faith:
- The folks next door who won’t keep their dog out of your flower beds
- The surly family member across the table at Thanksgiving dinner
- The waitress who fails to refill your cup when you’ve asked for more coffee
- The customer service person who enforces the no-returns-without-a-receipt policy
- The mother of the kid who bullies your kid
- The lazy co-worker who blames others for her mistakes
- The grumpy, overly-critical boss
These certainly may bring irritation … but they also present opportunities.
How can you and I thoughtfully, intentionally serve up words that are full of grace and
seasoned with salt in our conversations?
Allow me to share a few passages that both inspire and convict me:
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1) Choose gentleness over anger!
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness…. (Acts 4:29-31) Speak – or perhaps, demonstrate by actions – the word of God!
We love because he first loved us. (I John 4:19) Always remember that God loved us first, so we can/must love others first.
As we consider conversations in the last few days, weeks, or months, I challenge you to ask yourself: are unbelievers MORE or LESS likely to be open to the Gospel when we part ways? Are they MORE or LESS drawn to Jesus after speaking with me?
The Christian life is one of continual growth and realignment. We need not take on guilt for past failures. Self-awareness prompts not shame, but repentance and a renewed commitment going forward. Let’s be women who receive the grace for ourselves that God prompts us to release to others!
Lord, forgive me for giving little thought and even less prayer to my interactions with
unbelievers. Forgive me for compartmentalizing my life. Give me a conscious awareness that
every conversation is an opportunity to represent You and to make much of You. Allow Your Spirit to remind me that I don’t represent Mongolia (or even Arkansas or America) – but as a woman of God, I carry the banner of Jesus Christ! Help me, O God, to live an active faith and to intentionally allow my conversations to be full of grace and seasoned with salt. Amen.
Editor’s Note: Laura originally developed our October bookmark to accompany the “Pearls of Grace” women’s retreat. If you are interested in having Laura present this teaching to your church, please reach out to us via email.
In our latest Friday devotional video, Laura gives a preview of next week’s lesson on I Corinthians, chapter 4. The first verse of this chapter says: “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.” What are those “mysteries” revealed by God? We invite you to consider Laura’s words as she explores this phrase in preparation for next week’s Bible study lesson.
