p. 2 | 3700 - Your Speech by J. C. W.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 26, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 13.

3700 — Your Speech

By J. C. W.

Please explain Col. 4:6. J. C. W.

The scripture reads, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." The text is quite clear. The grace, of course, is in harmony with the grace of God. Our speech should be such as would commend the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, as stated in verse 17 of the chapter previous: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Salt was used as the symbol of a preservative, that which preserved from decay. It was a very striking thing in ancient days. It is even so now among the nomadic tribes of the Arabian desert. If one eats salt with a robber chief, that robber chief will regard him as a friend forever after. They have eaten salt together. It was a sacred emblem, and must always be present in the sacrifices of the Lord. No sacrifices were to be offered without salt. And so the speech of God's children should be that which is worthy of preservation, seasoned with that salt of piety that will make it worthy, and will carry its worthiness into other hearts, as well. Having a heart to do this, one would be made wise of God to answer every man.