Seasoned Words

March 2

One of the things most difficult to control is the human tongue. While we might, even in a spate of anger, control an impulse to throw a punch at someone, we may not be as able to keep fierce words of accusation and belittlement from escaping our lips.

The wounds inflicted by a physical attack against another individual will probably heal far sooner and far more completely than the wounds inflicted upon their spirits by an unbridled tongue. There are people who, even in adulthood, bear the wounds inflicted upon their psyche by the harsh words of their parents.

The Bible has an anecdote for this kind of childhood trauma and its incumbent adult misery. The Word has a way one may preserve the relationships of today from the barbed criticisms of yesterday. Colossians 4:6 says, “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” Grace—unmerited favor, undeserved kindness; seasoned with salt, to spare the spoilage of a spirit—must be applied liberally.

If we will resolve to utter words of kindness and encouragement, if we will use our words to lift rather than to burden the spirits of those around us, we will make great strides toward the destination of loving our fellow man that we as believers profess to desire. While the only deliverance from the deep-seated pain of harsh words must come from Jesus, the awareness of that deliverance is delivered by those who believe in Him.