16/08/2026
Our words are more powerful than we often realize and more difficult to control than we want to admit. This creates a dangerous combination.
The book of James highlights both of these realities in chapter 3. James 3:2 says, "if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body." Then James 3:8 goes on to say, "no human being can tame the tongue." Though he speaks of the seeming impossibility of taming the tongue, it doesn't mean we give up and quit trying. Instead, it emphasizes the effort we must put into controlling what we say because our words can have devastating consequences.
For example, James 3:5-6 tells us, "How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. And the tongue is a fire." It's like we're walking around with powerful flame throwers, but we're not very good at keeping ourselves from pulling the trigger. Can you imagine how dangerous that would be? That's the image James 3 is painting for us.
But, none of us view our words and speech in that way. We don't realize how poorly we control our words, nor do we realize the scorched earth we can leave behind. Into this reality, Paul commands us to always be gracious in our speech, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how we ought to answer each person. This is an entirely different perspective on our speech.
On the one hand, James tells us we can burn the forest down, but on the other hand Colossians tells us that we can speak with such wisdom that it can create opportunities to speak of Christ. Do you see the connection Paul is making between the way we speak and the opportunities it gives to answer?
The reason we are to be gracious in our speech is so that we may know how to answer. There is a clear connection between what we say, how the other person responds, and how we then answer.
The context of Colossians 4 is about declaring the mystery of Christ to those who don't know Him. Paul is saying is that we must strive to be gracious in our speech and to speak with wisdom (seasoned with salt) so that we can both guide conversations toward the gospel and so that we can be in the habit of responding in winsome and kind ways.
Between James and Colossians we have two options: We can be careless with our speech and destroy others or we can be intentional and careful with our words so that we have the opportunity to proclaim the good news of the gospel.
Having speech that is gracious and seasoned with salt does not come naturally to us.
Therefore, by God's grace, we have to put the work, energy, and effort into striving to tame the tongue and train it to speak with grace.
Have a blessed week Solicians!
