By: Carole L. Haines
When we think of salt, we tend to think of our common table salt. But there are so many different kinds of salt and so many uses for it. Jesus says:
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. (Matthew 5:13 NASB)
The definition of the word tasteless is vast and has a lot more to it than just a lack of flavor.
To become insipid, lose savor, make foolish. Insipid means to become flavorless,
weak, bland, watered down, thin, unappetizing, wishy-washy, boring, dull, spiritless, zestless, lifeless, anemic, lacking charisma, uninspiring, unimaginative, sterile. (Strong’s Concordance)
We as the salt of Christ can become, foolish, bland, watered down, wishy-washy, spiritless, unimaginative, etc. Yet God has many uses for us in His Kingdom, even as salt has many uses. Salt is used to preserve food and keep it from spoiling. It is used for flavoring food and enhancing its taste. It is a purifier, and used to cleanse.
Salt was highly valued at certain times in history and was even a reason for war. Perhaps its greatest use is in flavor enhancement. I believe this is why Jesus talks about salt losing its flavor. We, as the salt of the earth can lose our flavor too.
God has been revealing to me that the greatest way that I become tasteless, or lose my flavor is simply unbelief. When I cease to believe His promises, I become uninspiring, wishy-washy and, quite frankly, dull and weak. Notice that right in the middle of the definition for tasteless is the description of making one foolish. The Bible uses this Greek Word only 4 times. Two of them have to do with flavor, like the Scripture above. But the other two have to do with foolishness. Here they are:
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:21-22)
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1:20)
We become flavorless when we become foolish in our beliefs and when we lean on our own understanding instead of God’s truth. God desires us to be the salt of the earth, a truly essential element both now and in ancient times. We must watch over our hearts and be careful what we allow to dwell in them. We are the Salt of the Earth, as Christ has said. Let us believe God and take Him at His Word, thus fulfilling His desire for us to be His salt to those around us. Have a Blessed Day.
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