“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).

A Christian’s speech is just as important as his thoughts and actions. Our words have great power. We must be careful to say the right things to the right people, but also make sure we are saying them in the right way.

The instructions set forth in this verse apply at all times. Paul says, “always.” Regardless of who we are talking to, or what we are talking about, our speech needs to be guided by these rules.

Our speech is to “always be with grace.” Paul is using a phrase the non-Christians of his day employed to describe sparkling conversation dotted with witty or clever remarks. Such talk could be pleasing to the ear, and impressive to the conversationalist, but devoid of any real substance. It emphasized style over substance. A Christian’s conversation should never be empty, but it should be set forth in a welcoming manner.

Like some foods, there are certain words that need some “salt” to help them go down. There are times when the Christian needs to warn, criticize, and instruct others. If we want words of warning to be heeded, words of constructive criticism to be received, and words of instruction to be followed, we had better season them with salt. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11).

We need to give thought to what we are going to say and how we are going to say it. “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (Prov. 15:28, NASU). We can be blunt, harsh, and abrasive. Sometimes this is the right approach. However, more often than not, the gracious and salted words accomplish more good.