Let Your Speech Be Always With Grace
A Bible Study on Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” — Colossians 4:6 (KJV)
One of the greatest evidences of spiritual maturity is not merely what a believer does, but what a believer says. The tongue reveals the condition of the heart. Jesus taught that words are the overflow of what is within us, and the Apostle Paul commanded Christians to let their speech be “always with grace.”
In a world filled with anger, gossip, insults, division, and corrupt communication, God calls His people to speak differently. Colossians 4:6 is not simply a suggestion; it is a command that reveals how Christians are to represent Christ before believers and unbelievers alike.
The question is: How do we attain speech that is always with grace and seasoned with salt?
The New Testament provides the answer.
1. We Must Be Born Again
Before a person’s speech can truly be transformed, the heart must be transformed.
Jesus said:
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” — John 3:6
A corrupt heart naturally produces corrupt speech.
Jesus taught:
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” — Matthew 12:34
And again:
“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things.” — Matthew 12:35
The first step toward gracious speech is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. When God changes the heart, He begins changing the tongue.
2. We Must Yield to the Holy Spirit
The Christian life is impossible apart from the Holy Spirit.
Paul wrote:
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16
Our natural flesh desires to retaliate, argue, criticize, and tear others down.
But the fruit of the Spirit includes:
“Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” — Galatians 5:22-23
A gracious tongue is the fruit of a Spirit-filled life.
When believers walk in the Spirit, their speech begins reflecting Christ instead of the flesh.
3. We Must Put Away Corrupt Communication
Paul directly commands believers:
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying.” — Ephesians 4:29
Corrupt communication includes:
- Profanity
- Slander
- Gossip
- Mockery
- Verbal abuse
- Lies
- Crude jokes
- Angry outbursts
Instead, our words should edify and minister grace to those who hear them.
Notice how closely this verse parallels Colossians 4:6.
4. We Must Put Away Anger and Malice
Paul continues:
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you.” — Ephesians 4:31
Gracious speech cannot flow from a bitter heart.
A person filled with bitterness will eventually speak bitterness.
A person filled with Christ will eventually speak grace.
5. We Must Be Kind and Forgiving
The very next verse says:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32
People who remember how much God has forgiven them tend to show more grace toward others.
The more we appreciate God’s mercy, the more merciful our speech becomes.
6. We Must Control Our Tongue
James devoted much of his epistle to the subject of speech.
He wrote:
“If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” — James 3:2
And:
“The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.” — James 3:5
James teaches that spiritual maturity is demonstrated by controlling what we say.
Gracious speech requires intentional self-control empowered by the Holy Spirit.
7. We Must Be Swift to Hear and Slow to Speak
James also wrote:
“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” — James 1:19
Many sinful words could be avoided if believers practiced this verse.
Listening more and speaking less often prevents arguments, misunderstandings, and hurtful comments.
8. We Must Speak Truth
Grace is not flattery.
Grace does not compromise truth.
Paul commanded:
“Speaking the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15
The Christian must balance both truth and love.
Truth without love becomes harsh.
Love without truth becomes compromise.
God desires both.
9. We Must Avoid Filthy and Foolish Speech
Paul warned:
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” — Ephesians 5:4
The world’s humor often revolves around impurity, vulgarity, and mockery.
Believers are called to something higher.
Instead of corrupt speech, we should be known for gratitude and wholesome conversation.
10. We Must Let Christ Rule Our Hearts
Paul wrote:
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” — Colossians 3:15
Then immediately connected this inward condition to speech:
“Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” — Colossians 3:16
What fills the heart eventually fills the mouth.
When Christ reigns within, grace flows outward.
11. We Must Speak Words That Build Others Up
Paul commanded:
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
God intends our words to strengthen people, not destroy them.
Every conversation presents an opportunity to encourage someone’s faith.
12. We Must Avoid Complaining and Disputing
Paul wrote:
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” — Philippians 2:14
Complaining is contagious.
Gracious speech is thankful speech.
Believers should be known for hope and faith rather than constant criticism and negativity.
13. We Must Follow Christ’s Example
Peter wrote concerning Jesus:
“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again.” — 1 Peter 2:23
Christ demonstrated perfect gracious speech.
Even while suffering unjustly, He did not retaliate with sinful words.
If we desire to attain Colossians 4:6, we must continually look to Christ as our example.
14. We Must Depend Upon God’s Wisdom
James wrote:
“The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated.” — James 3:17
Heavenly wisdom produces heavenly speech.
When believers seek God’s wisdom, their conversations become more peaceful, gentle, and profitable.
15. We Must Pray for God’s Help
Jesus taught:
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always.” — Luke 21:36
And Paul said:
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” — Ephesians 6:18
No one can consistently obey Colossians 4:6 through human effort alone.
Victory over the tongue comes through continual dependence upon God.
What Does It Mean To Be “Seasoned With Salt”?
Salt preserves, purifies, and adds flavor.
Spiritually speaking, speech seasoned with salt is:
- Truthful without being harsh.
- Loving without compromising truth.
- Wise rather than foolish.
- Pure rather than corrupt.
- Helpful rather than destructive.
- Encouraging rather than discouraging.
- Christ-centered rather than self-centered.
Such speech makes the gospel attractive to those who hear it.
The Ultimate Example: Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus perfectly fulfilled Colossians 4:6.
The people testified:
“Never man spake like this man.” — John 7:46
And Luke records:
“All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” — Luke 4:22
Jesus spoke truth boldly, yet His words were filled with grace, wisdom, compassion, and power.
As believers grow in Christ, their speech should increasingly resemble His.
Conclusion
Colossians 4:6 is attained when a believer:
- Is born again.
- Walks in the Spirit.
- Rejects corrupt communication.
- Puts away anger and bitterness.
- Practices kindness and forgiveness.
- Controls the tongue.
- Is swift to hear and slow to speak.
- Speaks truth in love.
- Avoids filthy speech.
- Lets Christ rule the heart.
- Edifies others.
- Avoids complaining.
- Follows Christ’s example.
- Seeks God’s wisdom.
- Prays continually.
When these New Testament teachings are practiced, our speech becomes “always with grace, seasoned with salt,” and we become better equipped to “know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).
May every believer pray as the psalmist prayed:
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” — Psalm 19:14 (KJV)