June 15 — "Salty Speech, Gracious Words"

Today's Reading: Colossians 4

Words carry weight—sometimes heavier than we realize. They have the power to build up or tear down, open doors or slam them shut. That’s why Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, urges believers to let their speech be “gracious, seasoned with salt.”

Think about salt for a moment. Salt was essential for preserving food, preventing decay, and maintaining purity. When Paul spoke of speech being “seasoned with salt,” the Colossian readers would have connected it to keeping conversations pure, truthful, and free from corruption.

Paul’s challenge comes in the context of a discussion about walking in wisdom toward outsiders. Every conversation is an opportunity for the Gospel. Grace-filled speech isn’t just kind—it’s also truthful. It never distorts or compromises the message, but delivers it with love. Like salt, gracious words preserve what is good, purify what is impure, and make the truth of Christ appealing to those who hear it.

Now, imagine sitting down to a meal that looks absolutely mouthwatering—fresh ingredients, beautifully plated, prepared with care. You take a bite… and something is missing. No salt. No seasoning. No flavor. It’s bland, unappetizing, and disappointing. You chew, but nothing makes you want another bite.

When Paul urged believers to let their speech be “seasoned with salt,” he wasn’t just talking about making words more pleasant—he was calling them to speak with wisdom, purity, and a Gospel-centered purpose.

Words without grace are just like that. Conversations that lack wisdom, kindness, or love feel empty, unappealing, even harsh. They turn people away before they can digest the truth. But when our words are seasoned with salt, everything changes! Just as a well-seasoned meal awakens the senses and keeps people coming back for more, gracious speech awakens hearts and stirs a thirst for Christ.

In a world filled with sharp and divisive words, our speech as followers of Jesus should stand out. Do your conversations reflect grace—or do they mirror the bitterness of culture? The way you speak reflects on the One we follow. A harsh tongue can drive people away from Christ, but a gracious response can open hearts. Every interaction is a chance to represent Jesus.

May the Lord fill your heart with His love and season your words with His grace today. May they overflow with wisdom, kindness, and truth, drawing others to the beauty of Christ.