Flip, tuck, pat, rub. “Dress it up” was Dad’s philosophy when it came to seasoning a bird, and he did it with precision.

Growing up, I watched my dad do most of the cooking. Sunday dinner was the highlight of the week because we knew we would be in for a treat. Throughout the week, dinner typically consisted of smaller portions of our usual everyday meal. But Sunday was my favorite because it included a whole chicken or a roast with several sides.

I remember watching Dad season the bird with celery, onion, and other seasonings. He said, “These seasonings are all good, but salt does a little extra. It dresses it up.” At the time, I was not concerned about salt, pepper, or paprika. What I knew was that I would eat like a king.

As a kid, I did not realize the effectiveness of salt. Salt enhances and is one of the spices that can improve any food if appropriately used.

Let your speech always be with grace as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

~Colossians 4:6 NASB

Perhaps, this is why Paul compared our speech to salt. God gave him an inside track about influence. Paul realized if we sprinkled the light of Christ, improvement would follow, no matter how negative or cold others’ attitudes might be.

Like salt, our speech should minister grace to the hearers. Our words should be pure and life-changing. They should cause others to want to hear more of what we say, as well as help them realize that something is different about us.

I love Chick-Fil-A French fries. They have the perfect balance between salt and potato, and the crinkle-cut presentation makes me want to eat more. I get sad when I peer into an empty fry carton, as if someone stole the last few morsels from under my nose. On the other hand, if there were too much salt on these slivers of goodness, I would have an adverse reaction. Salt enhances, but only if it is appropriately used. 

On occasion, I have overwhelmed my wife with my words, and she did not want to receive anything else from me. At other times, she has wanted to hear more of what I said. This same principle can apply to my children, relatives, friends, and work peers.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

~Ephesians 4:29 NASB

In biblical times, worshipers added salt to their sacrifices, which were given to the living God. Our words are also sacrifices to God.

We should maintain holiness in our character, conduct, and conversations so that we represent Jesus Christ appropriately. Our lifestyle on our jobs, in our communities, and with our enemies should entice others to taste our relationship with Christ.

We taste good when we can still smile or give a pleasant word even though we are cut off in traffic. When those around us are complaining, but we bring hope to a negative conversation, we season with grace, hope, and peace.

Salt also possesses some negatives. If salt has lost its distinctiveness and flavor, it will not fulfill its purpose. We typically toss bland salt aside. Suppose my father had put bad seasoning on his famous chicken. I probably would not like chicken now. If salt cannot be tasted in food, then we are not using it correctly.

We should discern when to speak and how to speak so that Christ is exalted. Our lifestyles must show others we are the Lord’s people.

Examine your words. Allow the Holy Spirit to season your speech with grace, so that others can see Christ in you. Be purposeful with your words. Let them be like my dad’s delicious chicken: dressed up and seasoned to perfection.

Are your words, like salt, effectively used and full of grace?

Father God, I desire the distinct presence of Your Holy Spirit daily. Help me to share Your good character by covering me with Your presence. Help me when I lose my effectiveness to witness to others–whether at home, at work, or in the community. Allow me to spread Your love to all I meet so that those I influence will desire to taste and see how good You are. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: Dress it Up: Charles Maldon: All Rights Reserved