“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” ((Colossians 4:6))

Words are powerful. They can hurt or help.  Some words are gracious, others are angry. Some words are spoken graciously, others are tinged with a bad attitude. Some words are judiciously chosen, others are  thoughtless and painful.
Paul wrote that we are to speak with grace. That is graciously. Angry, biting words are never right. In fact, they are sinful, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” ((James 1:20)) Gracious words are always right, even in disagreements. Gracious words help, direct, and built up. Gracious words strengthen relationships. Gracious words are to always characterize the believer’s speech.
Paul also wrote that we are to have our speech seasoned with salt, or to have words that are “pure and penetrating.” One writer expressed the thought this way, “Their words must not be dull or insipid but should be interesting and judiciously chosen.” Salt was used in seasoning and preservation of food. So our speech is to speak the truth, yet we are to speak graciously, with the right attitude.
The old devil would like believers to use their words to hurt and destroy. And it happens often – all too often. We need to be on guard, praying as the Psalmist did, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” ((Psa 141:3))