Matthew 5:13
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
How are we to be salt of the earth?
Several years ago, I asked my pastor what salt signified in the Bible. He very enthusiastically typed out several pages on the reference to salt and gave them to me. I remember thinking, “Wow, he took my question very seriously.” This was before Google and AI, and I’m not sure what references he used for the answer, but it seemed he was very thorough.
I was thinking about his answer and read a devotional that pretty much covered what he gave me. I looked for that ragged piece of paper that was in my Bible for years, but I couldn’t find it.
Of course, when Jesus made this reference, the people of the ancient world understood the importance of salt and how it was used. He was teaching about the influence we should have on the world.
You know that salt changes the flavor of a dish. We are to change the flavor of our workplace, our homes, and everywhere we go.
Salt is a preservative
We know of salt at a preservative. It is used in canning, preserving meat, and preserving other perishable foods. As “salt of the earth,” we are a preserving force in the world.
Salt was used as an antiseptic
Salt was also used as an antiseptic for wounds and was believed to stop infection or the spread of disease. We are called to be a spiritual antiseptic to a world that is diseased with sin.
Salt was used to drive away evil spirits
Salt was used to drive away spirits in ancient pagan religions. Romans would even rub salt on newborn babies to ward away evil spirits. We are to be the salt that creates a barrier and influence of spiritual protection, deliverance, safety, and freedom in Christ.
Salt was used as a fertilizer
Salt is often used to enrich and fertilize soil to produce better crops. As salt, we are to enrich the atmosphere wherever we go, filling it with joy, hope, and the love of Christ.
Salt is a flavor enhancer
Many a cook has added just a pinch more salt to bring out the flavor of a favorite dish. Food without salt is bland. Our presence should not be bland but should be a flavor enhancer as we live our lives in Christ.
As I write this, I am thinking of the line from the popular Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” George and his wife Mary are helping a family move into their home. Mary gives gifts of bread, salt, and wine. “Bread that this house may never know hunger. Salt, that life may always have flavor, and wine so that joy and prosperity may reign forever.”
Sharing salt was also a sign of friendship and loyalty in ancient times. This cultural practice is reflected in biblical texts, where eating salt together symbolized a deep bond. Salt in the Bible symbolizes preservation, purity, loyalty, and covenant of the enduring nature of God’s promises
There is also a lot of symbolism in the Old Testament, with salt representing purity, and salt is often included in offerings to God (Lev. 2:13). The term “covenant of salt” indicates a lasting promise (Numbers 18:19). By definition, it is a cultural practice from ancient times where two parties form a binding agreement by sharing salt, which was considered vital for life.
Like my pastor’s references to salt from years ago, there is a lot to learn about the meaning of this simple seasoning.
In Colossians 4:5-6, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
In The Passion Translation, it says, “Walk in the wisdom of God as you live before the unbelievers, and make it your duty to make Him known. Let every word you speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. For then you will be prepared to give a respectful answer to anyone who asks about your faith.
Are our words seasoned with salt?
Do we bring words:
- that bring preservation
- that flavor life and make it taste better
- that bring healing to the sick
- that disinfect and free those who were once contaminated with sin
- that are filled with protection, safety and deliverance
- that are so faith-filled that they create a blessed and peaceful environment wherever we go
Prayer:
Lord, may we be salt to a hurting world. Help us to pray peace and blessing over our jobs and families. May we enhance those in the paths that we walk today with hope and joy that only you can bring.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Discussion questions:
1. Assess how your words are “seasoned with salt.”
2. How can you decide to be salt and light to those in your sphere of influence?
3. Can you commit to fill your mouth with words of preservation, healing, freedom, cleansing, protection, safety, deliverance, and faith?
Action steps:
Take some time to do your own study of “salt.” Check out these additional scriptures and find some Old Testament scriptures as well.
Mark 9:49-50, “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves and have peace with one another.”