How we respond to words...

Hello Everyone,
I know it has been a long time since I have last blogged and I am sorry. But life gets crazy busy with school and studying. I would like to Thank Daniel for pushing me to write on this wonderful Spring Break! You are a great friend, and I appreciate you helping me to better myself! =)
God keeps bringing me back to the importance of words and how we respond to them. Today I was reading my devotions and I ran across Colossians 4:6 which says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Blue Letter Bible defines this word grace used in Colossians 4:6 as the Hebrew word Charis which means, “good will, loving-kindness, favor of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.” So when people respond to us cruelly, nasty, or rude we should return their remarks with joy and love and forgiveness. Because it is by the grace of God we have been saved (Eph. 2:8), and it is grace which we should extend to others. Whether they deserve it or not. Colossians not only says to let our conversations be full of grace, but also seasoned with salt.
What exactly does it mean to be “seasoned with salt?” I mean are we supposed to literally rub salt on ourselves until we are seasoned? Although that would be strange and kind of fun, no! According to the Blue Letter Bible the words “with salt” in Colossians 4:6 represent the Hebrew word Halas. The biblical interpretation for this word is: “a symbol of lasting concord, because it protects food from putrefaction and preserves it unchanged. Wisdom and grace exhibited in speech.” Once again we see the word grace, but this time it is also accompanied by wisdom. So we need to make sure that what we say in return, not only is loving and forgiving, but is also said with wisdom. Proverbs 8:4-8 says, “’To you, O men, I call out; I (wisdom) raise my voice to all mankind. 5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. 6Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.” So we are to speak what is true and just also.
I believe that if we as a people learn to master our words…we can change not only lives but nations. Did you know that it took one man’s thoughts to change the way many people look at science? Did you also know that it took one man with a dream to change a country? Did you know it takes only a smile to change someone’s outlook on a day? I encourage everyone who reads this…let us not get so focused on being right, or getting back at someone lest we forget that God has forgiven us for everything we have ever done and that he tells us to forgive every time. Matthew 18:21-22 says, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
My prayer for all my bloggers is that God will use you in mighty ways and as you seek to honor God in all you do and SAY...that he will bless you abundantly more than you can ever ask hope or think!
Your Friend in Christ,

Courtney David