“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col. 4:6).[1]
Our words matter. It is understood that “salt was a preserving and flavoring agent; thus Paul probably refers to speech designed to make sense to outsiders and be relevant to them.”[2] Not just finding the right moment or opportunity to speak up, but when the time comes, being able to speak a message that makes sense and edifies the recipient.
Receiving good news is always something pleasant. But verbal assaults are never welcomed. “A soft answer turns away wrath, | but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1).
“Disgrace!” “Charlatan!” “Idiot!” These sorts of verbal slams are dropped without explanation. Moreover, it is so easy through the semi-anonymity of a social media avatar and handle to lay out the most brutal character attacks over a theological disagreement. But these are really loveless character attacks without any concern for the issue needing to be addressed. They are vicious ad hominem arguments. I come across such statements all the time. I doubt any such kinds of remarks are befitting for the Christian. Such toxic language just drags Christ name in the mud.
If there is error, the verbal slams exacerbate the problem. Such ignores the admonition: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1). Not everything spoken has to be pleasant, but a spirit of gentleness is needed when delivering very important messages on touchy matters.
I can understand the problem of trying to finesse speech so much that nothing of substance ever gets communicated, and the message that ends up being delivered turns out to be a distortion of the truth more than anything else. Speaking out the truth clearly and concisely is an objective. On the other hand, clarity is not castigation and never confound one for the other.
When it is our time to be on the dock to share about the faith, Christ says, “the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Lk. 12:12) and “I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” (Lk. 21:15). The Spirit teaches. Christ provides. We can say the right thing.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29).
— WGN
[1] All Scripture cited from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), unless noted.
[2] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Col 4:6.
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