Are You Salty? Do You Have the Qualities of Salt? Part 2 of 2

Be Salt and Light

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)

“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” Mark 9:50 (NLT)

In Part 1 of this post, we talked about being salt and light in our everyday surroundings.  We discussed a few of the qualities of salt and how we could display some of those same qualities in our lives.  I’d like to pick back up this week with some more qualities of salt that we should model.

In the previous post we discussed the first five qualities, this week we’ll discuss the last five and how they serve as an analogy for how we should act:

Salt…

1. 1. 1. Makes you thirsty.
      2. Adds seasoning, gives things flavor, and makes things taste good.
      3. Preserves.
      4. Has the power to change the environment around it.
      5. Serves as an electrolyte in our bodies.
      6. Mixes in and interacts with its environment.
      7. Promotes healing.
      8. Is sloughing or exfoliating.
      9. Stings but also soothes.
      10. Acts as a fertilizer to make things grow.

Value of salt

I actually learned something new when studying salt.  I knew salt was an extremely valuable commodity in ancient times, but I guess I just didn’t realize how much.  In fact, I learned that Roman soldiers even used to be paid in salt at times.  Apparently, that’s where the term “worth his salt” came from.  The word “salary” is even rooted from salt.  In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law required that all offerings presented by the Israelites should contain salt (Lev. 2:13).  Many theologians say this was to symbolize purification and an enduring covenant (salt purifies and makes things last).

Since salt holds such value in history, that same value should still hold true today—especially in relation to how we should be like salt.  Let’s take a look at some more qualities of salt…

Some More Qualities of Salt:

6. Salt mixes in and interacts with its environment.

Salt penetrates into and interacts with what it is meant to change.  In order for food to be cured or have flavor added, the salt must permeate into it.  As Christians, we too need to interact and permeate into the midst of what we are trying to change and influence.  This is a tricky balancing act at times though.  That’s where the phrase “be IN the world but not OF the world” comes into play.

If we get too involved in and desensitized by the pop culture (i.e. “OF the world”), we can be pulled away from our convictions and distance ourselves from God.  We can get so integrated with the world that we lose our saltiness, and there will be no distinguishing differences between us and the world (Luke 14:34-35).  We cannot make a difference or influence others if we lose our saltiness by mixing in too much.

However, on the flip side, if we completely alienate ourselves from the world and current society, we will be hiding our saltiness and be unable to influence others.  Salt can’t do any good if it is not used.  It has to be rubbed in and incorporated.  If we only associate ourselves with other Christians, how then can we influence non-Christians?  We have to make contact to have an effect. 

“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:14-17 (NIV) 

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:19 (NIV) 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (ESV) 

Christians shouldn’t alienate themselves from the world–Be IN the world, not OF the world. #BeSalt

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7. Salt promotes healing.

Salt has antiseptic, bactericidal, and anti-inflammatory properties.  It’s been used for centuries and is still used (in the form of saline) to cleanse wounds and speed up healing.  Just as salt is healing, God’s Word takes away pain and brings new life.  Healing is one of Jesus’ defining characteristics.  We need to bring God’s Word to people to help alleviate pain in their lives and to help them heal in areas where they are broken.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that we always need to be preaching at/to people.  We can also show love to people and serve them.  As Christians, we can help to cleanse the areas of their life that are infected by speaking the truth in love to them.  We can use our soft words and conversation to calm what has been irritated.  We can also pray for them and with them.  There are so many ways that we can help people heal.

“Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all” Matthew 12:15 (ESV) 

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) 

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (ESV) 

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV) 

Bring God’s Word to people to alleviate pain & to heal areas where they are broken. #BeSalt

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8. Salt is sloughing or exfoliating.

Salt is used to scrub and slough off dry, dead skin cells.  It helps to make skin smooth and soft again. We can be like a salt scrub and slough off the rough edges of people (iron sharpens iron).  As Christians, we can soften people.  We can have a positive influence on hard-hearted people and eventually wear them down with love and kindness.

Additionally, we can serve as accountability for other Christians and confront them if they need some bad things scrubbed out of their lives.  We need to keep in mind though that salt scrubs enough to soften but not so much that it damages.  We need to avoid being too abrasive or cutting.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) 

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galatians 6:1 (NLT)

“Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18 (NLT) 

We can have positive impact on hard-hearted people & soften them w/love & kindness. #BeSalt

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9. Salt stings but also soothes.

When an open wound is exposed to salt, it stings!  Have you ever jumped into ocean water only to discover every nick, scrape, and cut?  The interesting thing though is that after some time has passed, that same pain is eased and soothed by that same salt exposure (as previously discussed in #7-salt promotes healing).  What happens is that it hurts a wound in order to help it get better. Another example is when we gargle saltwater to soothe a sore throat.  It’s uncomfortable at first but then provides relief. 

Talking about spiritual matters can often be uncomfortable, especially at first, but it often provides relief to the recipient.  Speaking about God will also irritate some people.  Sometimes as Christians we can sting people’s conscious.  There are times when we have to be convicted in order to be corrected.  This is also similar to accountability as in #8 when salt is sloughing. 

This should only be done though IF there is relationship there and IF done in the proper way (*see notes about this in Part 1).  If there is no relationship then we can still “sting” others in our environment by example, not by stinging words.  Others often feel guilty around people doing things the right way because they know they are NOT.  It can even prompt them to want to be a better person—especially if they see the benefits that WE reap from right living (which is also hopeful and soothing after the sting).

“Does not my word burn like fire?” says the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29 (NLT) 

 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!” When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” Acts 2:36-37 (HCSB) 

“But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.” 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (NLT) 

Talking about God can be uncomfortable, but it often provides relief to the recipient. #BeSalt

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10. Salt acts as a fertilizer to make things grow.

I’ve been told on a number of occasions to add salt (either Epsom salt or sea salt) to my garden to help it grow and produce more fruit.  As Christians, we should be helping those around us to grow and produce “fruit” in their lives.  We need to help people understand that apart from Jesus they can do nothing, but with him, they will produce much fruit.  This should be evident in our own lives as well.

Apparently, salt is also useful in manure piles to convert ammonia into beneficial components used for compost and gardening.  Salt in manure also kills and prevents the infestation of insects and larvae in the manure as well as any weeds and seeds that might grow–basically the salt gets rid of unwanted or negative ingredients. We should also help people to get rid of negative influences in their lives. 

Fertilizer is also scattered around (not bunched or lumped up, which is ineffective).  We also need to scatter ourselves to spread the word of Jesus, not merely clump together and/or form cliques.  As Christians, we are told to go and make disciples of all the nations.  We need to get out into our communities and make a difference.

“Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NLT) 

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NLT) 

“Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Luke 14:35 (NLT)  

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

As Christians, we should help those around us to grow and produce “fruit” in their lives. #BeSalt

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Take Some More Practical Steps to Be Salt:

• First, Be salt: Mix in and interact with unbelievers.

Get yourself out there!  Be salt.  Be light.  Show love.  You might be the only “Jesus” that some people see.  Don’t alienate yourself and separate yourself so much so that you are not able to be an influence to others.  However, don’t mix in so much that you conform to the world.  Be IN the world but not OF the world.

• Secondly, Be salt: Help promote healing in the hurting people around you.

Look for people who are hurting and find ways to help them and show God’s love.  Actively pray for and with people.  Don’t exacerbate tough situations by acting in anger—use soft words to prevent further anger and hurt.

• Next, Be salt: Soften people and wear down their rough edges.

Show love and kindness even in situations when it’s hard to do so.  Kill them with kindness, so to speak.  Gently confront people in your life that need some bad things scrubbed out of their life.

• Then, Be salt: Speak up for God even when it’s uncomfortable, and live your life in such a way that it convicts others around you.

Expect to irritate some people with your Christian lifestyle (please don’t purposely try to irritate people!), but always try to offer hope and soothing after the sting.

• Finally, Be salt: Help people grow and improve.

Find ways that you can help people grow in their walk with God—share scripture, invite them to church and small groups, share helpful books and audio/video messages, etc.  Try to encourage people and help to prevent negative influences in the lives of people around you.  Spread yourself like fertilizer, and get out into your community and make a difference.

I hope these past two posts have given you some food for thought (some salty food!).  I encourage you to try to grow in each of these qualities in order to be salt in your world.

Which of these qualities of salt can you model more in your life?  Tell us about it by leaving a comment below. 

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If you have benefited from this post or if you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward and share this post with them via the sharing links below! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 

*Updated: Originally posted 9/15/2015