Colossians 4:6 bible study
Colossians 4:6 NASB
This verse says, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
Observations
As soon as I read this verse, there are three keywords/phrases that immediately jumped off the page to me. They are the words grace, seasoned with salt, and the word “know.”
What is the Biblical Definition of Grace?
The Biblical definition of grace is God’s unmerited favor. The word unmerited means “not deserved and unearned.” While the word favor means “approval, support, preference for, and blessings.” So, grace is the Lord’s undeserving approval, support, preference for, and blessings over people who are undeserving, and have not earned it in any way.
What Does “Seasoned with Salt” Mean?
The phrase “seasoned with salt,” immediately makes me think of being careful, because this is how I season my food with salt… carefully. I do not want to over-salt my food because it would be inedible. I’d rather season it too little, leaving room to add more later than season it too much.
And when it comes to our words, this is what the Bible teaches us… to be careful.
Consider the following verses:
James 1:19 – “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (NASB)
Proverbs 15:28 – “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (NASB)
Proverbs 13:3 – “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (NASB)
Proverbs 10:19 – “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (NASB)
We see from these verses that we should be slow to speak, and also ponder/consider carefully our answer. However, when I think of salt, I also think of its uses.
Like for instance, salt is a preserver that keeps food from decaying. It also makes food more acceptable to eat, in regard to taste.
So, if my words are to be “seasoned with salt,” I am speaking words that prevent decay, words that give life, encourage, and build up, not tear down.
It also means that my words are spoken in love, gentleness, and kindness, which are easily heard and accepted by those who hear, both here on earth and in heaven above.
And this is what the Scriptures teaches us. Consider the following verses:
Proverbs 15:1-2 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.” (NASB)
Ephesian 4:29 -”Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (NASB)
Proverbs 15:4 – “A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit” (NASB)
Proverbs 16:24 – “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (NASB)
What does “know” mean?
The biblical definition of the word know, means “to recognize, be acquainted with, and to perceive or understand clearly.”
what we have learned from Colossians 4:6
Ok, now that we have defined our keywords and key phrases, let’s start putting this information together so we can see what this verse is actually teaching us.
Let’s put it together section by section.
Section 1: Let your speech always be with grace
We have learned that grace means God’s unmerited favor, which is favor that is not earned and undeserving. God’s favor is His support, blessings, preference, and approval.
So, if our speech is always to be with grace, then we are speaking in a manner or using words that are undeserved to the listener.
In other words, we are not saying things that we feel people deserve. But instead, we are speaking words of support, approval, or blessings. Whichever is needed for the moment, as we are led by the Holy Spirit to give.
Section 2: As though seasoned with salt
We have also learned that to be “seasoned with salt” is to be slow to speak, speaking carefully the words that give life, build up, and encourage. And we speak these words in a kind, gentle, and loving way.
If you are not sure what words of life are, look at what the Bible says here:
John 6:63 – “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (NASB)
Philipians 2:16 – “holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain” (NASB)
Ephesian 4:15 – “ but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ”
With these verses, we learn that the Word of God are words of life and are Truth. We also learn that we should speak the Truth in love.
I once heard Lysa Terkeurst say that a good rule of thumb for speaking is to ask yourself, “Is it true and kind and necessary?”
This is a good rule of thumb because not only does it sound inspirational, but it is also biblical. Ephesians 4:15 teaches us to speak what is True, and to speak the “Truth in love.” But we also learn from Ephesians 4:29 that we speak, “according to the need of the moment.” And we do all this by the leading of the Holy Spirit (John 6:63).
Section 3: So that you will know how to respond to each person
The definition of the word know is “to be acquainted with, recognize, and understand.”
So, basically, if we understand and are acquainted with grace, and we understand and are acquainted with “seasoning with salt.” Then, we will know how to give that to others in what we do and what we say.
My Application
I often speak to my children in a way that I feel they deserve. If I feel they are not being respectful, I get loud and I do not choose my words carefully.
I have been doing this for years but I never took notice of it. I believed that when my children were speaking in error, then I had a right to speak to them in haste and in anger.
It has just been recently that the Holy Spirit has shown me clearly the error of my words towards them.
Isn’t the Lord amazing?!!
In the beginning of my walk with Christ, I learned to stop swearing. Then, some time after this, I learned not to challenge my loved ones on every little point. Then, some years later, I learned to stop gossiping and to stop listening to other people gossip. And the list goes on and on.
Every year, the Lord has been fine tuning my speech.
He has given me what I do not deserve. His patience and kindness.
And this is what I must do with my children.
So much of the time I point out everything I see wrong in their character. But this is not what the Lord does to us. He doesn’t tell us everything that is wrong with us all at once.
So, now I will respond in obedience and give the grace that was extended to me, to my children and to others.
If I am not sure about what to say, I will pray before I say anything and ask for guidance. Then, I won’t speak on the matter until God has clearly led me to do so. He may not want me to speak, but instead continue in intercession and/or fasting on the matter.
I will also only say what is true, and always in kindness, not anger. And only when it is necessary, as the Holy Spirit leads me.
And when I stumble, (because I will more than likely stumble) as I begin learning how to walk in this. I will apologize when I stumble, both to them and my Heavenly Father. Then, brush myself off and begin practicing again.
Because practice makes better.
Phillipians 4:9 – “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (NASB)
1 John 2:7 – “Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (NASB)
Prayer & Praise
Thank you Father for teaching me how to speak to my children and to others! It is by Your mercy and grace that I have made it to this point in my journey with You! May I give the same grace and mercy to others. May I bring glory and honor to Your Holy Name in the things I say! In Jesus Name, Amen.
