If you have had a teenager in the last decade it is possible you have been called “salty” at some point by one of them. A quick google search will pull up some fantastic meme’s, the language of this generation, I rather enjoy. Despite the laugh I get from the meme’s, being called “salty” is not very funny in the moment. In many cases, when used correctly by said teenager, you are being called out for your bad behavior. “Salty” means angry, irritated, sassy, and even “hard to take.” Yikes! I am guilty.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I am fairly certain this is not the “salt of the Earth” Jesus was referring to in Matthew 5:13 or Mark 9:50. But sadly, this is the Christian I have been seeing a lot of lately.
A quick scroll of social media, the play of podcasts, and even the statements made from the pulpits of pastors are throwing all kinds of “salt” around.
When I listen to, read, or am around “salty” Christians I am in a bad mood. Sometimes these in your face, take the truth even when it hurts, or quick to judge and speak, Christians end up pushing down every person in their path. This makes me think, “No wonder they call us hypocrites!”
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Matthew 5:13
In homeschool we are studying Geology and despite my kids moans and groans I find it absolutely fascinating. Tectonic plates, earthquakes, volcanoes, landforms, crystals, gems, and minerals are all naturally made by our Father and overtime it continues to change. This past week while studying minerals, we came to salt. Such a small thing has the power to do extraordinary things. Salt acts as a preserve, a seasoning/flavor for food, and a regulator.
How can the purpose of salt be more relevant to what Jesus meant in Matthew 5 for our lives?
Preserve: It was fun to remind my kids not only there was once no refrigerator, but to bring back last year’s lessons on one of the hot items on the Silk Road, salt. What an amazing power to be able to help prevent decay. Within each of us, we have that power. We can either allow someone to rot (which is inevitable) or lead them to the One who can provide life!
Seasoning: When a recipe calls for a “pinch of salt” I am always baffled by exactly how much I should add. Ironically, unless it is for baking, I don’t measure salt or pepper when cooking from a recipe. Generally speaking when cooking the salt only enhances the flavor, but isn’t essential. Baking, on the other hand, needs the salt if in the recipe. Once I forgot the salt and I had to throw away the entire batch; it just didn’t taste right. I am guessing we have met that “Christian” too who was missing the salt and just didn’t come off right.
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6
Our life, through not only the way we live, but our voice has the power to either turn people away or toward Jesus. How we choose to salt our conversations can either enhance or spoil the whole thing!
Regulator: We all have heard over the years that too much salt is bad for you and this is certainly true, but salt is important for our bodies. Without the components of salt (chloride and sodium) our bodies would be unable to regulate our blood pressure and other fluids within our body. Aren’t we too regulators for those around us? We can set the atmosphere in a room, on the Internet, or quite literally anywhere we go.
It is time to turn our salt shakers upside down for Jesus!
Let’s go into this holiday season, I am thinking about all the conversations around the dinner table, and new year resisting being considered “salty” Christians but instead preserving, seasoning, and regulating lives!
