Paul instructed us to, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6). Seems pretty simple except what does he mean by “seasoned with salt?”

Well a little salt makes things taste better. We must let our conversation be seasoned so that it is palatable to those we speak to. It’s a wise man that wins souls (Proverbs 11:30). We cannot shame or bully people into serving God. We must instead help them fall in love with God and recognize just how much they really need Him.

That said, we know that salt burns an open wound. Sometimes you have to speak salt grains of truth to people that may burn but remember the truth makes us free (John 8:32). It might hurt for a second, but the truth heals. But in this again you must use discernment and wisdom. We don’t want to attack people or point fingers but there will be times when we have to tell people difficult truths in the hopes of helping them move closer to God.

So, we must recognize that our words have power.

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (Proverbs 18:21, NLT).

Not only do they have power but God is going to hold us accountable for every idle word we say.

“‘I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say.’” (Matthew 12:26, GW).

In the last year, I have worked hard to think before I speak and I failed sometimes. But for all the times I succeeded, I noticed how well things went in the conversation. Everything we know about a person or a situation doesn’t have to be shared. And our opinions certainly aren’t needed unless they are asked for. All that extra talk can detract from the wisdom and truth God wants to use you to convey to others.

So, we must take an account of our words. Ask yourself some audit questions like, “Do I talk too much? Do I talk too little? Do I speak at the wrong times? “Do I speak from emotion or fact?”

Our mouths are for preaching, teaching, praising and worshipping the Lord so we have to take an inventory periodically of how much garbage we are allowing out of our mouths. How often are we using our mouths for things other than glorifying God? If you want God to speak powerful, life-changing words through you, take the time to focus on cleaning up your speech. You will really appreciate the effort in the long run. Be blessed.