Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6
Read: John 8:1-11
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Message:
Over the past two days, I discussed the power of words; today, I will focus on how words can heal.
As a Christian, you should always be gracious with your words (Ephesians 4:29). You should be generous with giving compliments and telling people encouraging words.
Simply saying things like, “I like your haircut,” can bring people out of sadness and put a smile on their faces. Your compliments must, however, be genuine because God will punish those who flatter others with their words (Psalm 12:3).
In Ruth 2:1, Boaz was described as a mighty man of wealth. Unlike some wealthy people who look down on their workers and speak rashly to them, Boaz encouraged his workers with his words, and they responded pleasantly (Ruth 2:4).
I believe this is partly responsible for Boaz’s successful business. If you are a business owner and you curse or talk down on your workers, you are indirectly also cursing the work of your hands because they are the ones managing it for you.
Nabal, unlike Boaz, was a man who spoke negative words. When David sent his men to ask him to give them something, his response was terrible. He spoke harshly to the men and if his wife, Abigail, hadn’t intervened by going without his consent to soothe David with her words, everyone in his family would have been destroyed.
While Nabal’s words stirred up David’s anger and made him gather his men to go against the former’s household, Abigail’s words were seasoned with salt and kept her family from destruction (1 Samuel 25:1-35).
When you speak, what effect do your words have? Do they heal or destroy? Solomon said,
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21).
Apostle Paul, in today’s memory verse, tells us to make sure that our speech is always with grace and seasoned with salt. Seasoning makes food more enjoyable.
A fellow whose speech is well seasoned will always attract others to himself or herself because people go to places where they are appreciated and motivated.
When the woman caught in the act of adultery in today’s Bible reading was brought to Jesus, in the midst of many condemning words from other people, His words, “Go and sin no more,” brought her the liberty that she needed (John 8:11).
Beloved, let your words bring unbelievers to Jesus and show them His grace. Do not let your words be the reason people reject the gospel.
ACTION POINT:
Consciously give genuine compliments and encourage people with your words every day.
Bible in one year: Psalms 73-77
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Hymn: 28
1. I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one marked an angry word,
That ever heard Him speak.
2. I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there.
3. I want to be like Jesus,
I never, never find
That He, though persecuted was
To any one unkind.
4. I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good;
So that of me it may be said
"He hath done what he could."
5. I want to be like Jesus,
Who sweetly said to all,
"Let little children come to Me;"
I would obey the call.
6. But oh I'm not like Jesus,
As any one may see;
O gentle Saviour, send Thy grace,
And make me like to Thee.
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