Bible Study

The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course

Part II--The Process Of Reconciliation With God

F. Lesson 12--We Must Be Faithful In Serving The Lord

14. READ: COLOSSIANS 4:2-6

c. What should our conversation be always full of?

Answer: Christians' conversation should always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer everyone, (verse 6).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• "Grace" here means, "that which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard." It is used here in regard to a Christian's conversation--the words that come out of his mouth.

The Christian cannot be wise in the way he acts toward outsiders or make the most of every opportunity if he is not held in favorable regard by those outside of Christ (as well as those who are in Christ). The same person who spews vile, filthy or suggestive language from his mouth, or who lies, slanders, gossips, etc., cannot then spread forth the message of the Gospel of Christ with any believability.

James teaches us that Christians must be very serious about our speech and how we "answer everyone." Praise and cursing cannot come from the same mouth:

James 3:1-12: "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

• To have our conversation "seasoned with salt" means that a Christian's conversation should be as a preservative (to keep safe, guard, protect; to keep from spoiling or decaying; to maintain), and should add flavor or taste with any and all words spoken. We are to speak to build others up and to benefit those who hear us:

Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

• In Mark 9:50, Jesus says of this "flavor of God" that Christians are to be seasoned with:

"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other..."

• Jesus says that His followers are the salt of the earth--the flavor or taste of Christ to the world. But He also warns that we can lose this "flavor" and become worthless:

Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

• With this flavor-enhancing conversation, we are to know how to answer everyone. A knowledge of the Gospel of Christ is necessary to teach others. There can be nothing in our conversation that will allow those in the world to speak against us, and therefore speak against Christ:

1 Peter 3:15-16: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us the source of the Truth that must be in our conversation as we "answer everyone":

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

• And 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us how we may KNOW and be prepared to speak the Words of Truth--how to answer everyone:

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth," (King James Version of the Bible).