Watch Your Words!

Daily Devotional – Monday, April 3, 2023
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)

According to Yehuda Berg, author and international speaker, “Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.” How significant, therefore, is it that you watch your words!

The Power of Speech

One of the saddest church visits I have ever participated in revolved around a couple that had quit church because of negative words from church members. The wife was new in the faith and could not stomach unfair and unfounded romours about her family.

Conversely, there are people who have returned to the family of believers following encouraging words from concerned brethren. You probably know individuals who were on the brink of suicide but encouraging words brought them back to their senses. Such is the power of words.

Let Your Speech Always be With Grace

Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of being careful with our speech when he wrote, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Colossians 4:6). In this passage, Paul identifies critical elements of communication befitting a follower of Christ.

First, the words the come out of the mouth of a Christian must be refined and wholesome. Two, like salt, our speech must play the role of preserving, healing, sweetening and enriching relationships. Finally, our communication must be timely and appropriate to those who listen to us.

Watch Your Words

Our speech affects others, positively or negatively. We inspire action through our choice of words and manner of expression. This being true of all human beings, how much more careful should Christians (the representatives of Jesus on earth) be with their speech?

Christ Himself warns us, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36). An unknown person once said, “Your words have power. Speak words that are kind, loving, positive, uplifting, encouraging, and life-giving.” Watch your words!

Prayer
Holy Spirit, imbue and inundate me that I may minister grace to each one person interact with.