Salt of the Earth, Part 2

In Scripture, salt is likened to the words we speak. Paul tells us in Colossians 4:6…

“Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].”

 We usually think of salt as having two or three uses. In fact, salt has dozens and dozens of uses. Salt is a change agent. Apply salt to different things and it works in different ways to perform different wonders. Jesus called His disciples “The salt of the earth.” As followers of Jesus Christ, there are dozens of ways that the Holy Spirit will sprinkle our words, as salt, into the lives of others.

Salt as a seasoning:

Salt is a delightful additive to our taste buds. Used in proper amounts it enhances the foods we eat and brings out their unique flavors.

Like salt, there are those that bring a special seasoning of the Spirit to our lives. They add the seasoning of hope, faith, and encouragement into conversations and relationships. Their presence enhances your life whenever you are with them. They say the words that are exactly what your heart needs to hear in a given moment. Words of life, words of truth, words of grace that come from the heart of God.

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! Proverbs 15:23 KJV

Note…A little salt goes a long way. Salt does not need to be dominant in order to be useful. Pour too much salt on something and it will overpower the inherent flavor of the food. We don’t need to dominate people or conversations in order to be salt.

Salt as a preservative:

As a preservative, salt keeps things safe from injury, destruction, or decay. Before the days of refrigeration, salt was used by commercial fishing boats to keep their catch safe and fresh until they could return to port and bring the fish to market.

Our homes, our work place, our marriages, our friendships, and our churches all need the preserving power of the Holy Spirit working through us. As the salt of the earth we help to keep people from being injured, marriages from being destroyed, businesses from becoming corrupted, and ministries from being overtaken by death and decay. As the salt of the earth we help to keep things sound and secure; healthy and protected; prosperous and blessed.

Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection]. 1 Peter 3:9 AMP

Note…Salt will always be salt. It will always do what salt does. You do not need to strive to become salt. Jesus is the one who has made us salt. Without His life in us and His words on our tongues we have no saltiness.

We will continue our look at salt in the next posting.

Comments

[Cindy]

Thank you for all you share with us. I so appreciate the expounding on Psalm 23 that you recently shared with us. I
also appreciate the thoughts you have share here - especially that "salt is a change agent." Interesting. I will look forward
your next letter with further explanation of salt.

Cindy