Seasoning Our Words Part 1: Think Before You Speak

What are your ingredients?

Chicago Dog Ingredients:

• all-beef hot-dog
• steamed poppyseed bun
• yellow mustard (NOT ketchup!)
• tomato slices
• sweet relish (Chicago relish)
• a dill pickle
• diced onion
• sport peppers
• celery salt

"Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, Holman Christian Standard Bible, emphasis added)

THINK before you speak!

T - Is it True?

"I have been sent… to teach them to know the truth . . . . This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began." (Titus 1:1–2, New Living Translation, emphasis added)

"It is impossible for God to lie." (Hebrews 6:18, NLT)

"Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!" (Psalm 34:13, NLT)

H - Is it Helpful?

"Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." (Ephesians 4:29, NLT)

"…according to the need of the moment." (Ephesians 4:29, New American Standard Bible 95)

I - Is it Inspiring?

"The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness." (Proverbs 15:2, NLT)

N - Is it Necessary?

"There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now." (John 16:12, NLT)

"I have much more to say to you, but I don't want to write it with pen and ink. For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face." (3 John 13–14, NLT)

"I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me." (Psalm 39:1, NLT)

K - Is it Kind?

"Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, HCSB)

"I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" (Malachi 3:10, NLT)

"Those who work deserve their pay!" (1 Timothy 5:18, NLT)

"Their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do." (2 Corinthians 8:5, NLT)

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