Issue 9 - Day 7

Colossians 4

Colossians 4:5-6
5)  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6)  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

The old advert used to say, "I want to be a Smiths crisp. I want to be salt and shake." Our prayer needs to be, I want to walk in wisdom, that my speech would be with grace, and salt. This is all very well, but what does it mean.

How are we to speak with grace? In this context grace means with kindness, gentleness, love. Giving help, encouragement and forgiveness. Avoiding anger, and harsh words. Many times it seems impossible to speak in this manner. We arrive in situations where people just wind us up. That old excuse, "I know it was wrong, but she made me say/do it" springs to mind. God instructs us in two ways to avoid either these situations, or to avoid responding in an ungodly manner. Firstly, we are to walk in wisdom, God's wisdom. If we try to live according to our own wisdom we will mess up and fall into arguments. If we follow God’s wisdom we will, by in large, not get into these situations in the first place. For example, you will not get into arguments as to why you are late, if you communicate and let people know you will be late. Walking in wisdom. The second instruction is to redeem the time. Don’t waste time, put it to good use. Laziness will always lead to confrontation.

We are also to season our speech with salt. This salt is the word of God. Paul says this is the mystery of Christ. When talking to unbelievers, adding the salt of God’s word is certainly redeeming the time. First know God's word, then share that wisdom with others. God's word is powerful, and when added to graceful speech transforms your words into good food for it’s recipient.
Pray that God will use your speech today, and add his word to the mix.