By Aneta Dodd
"Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." (Mark 9:50)
Salt is a very important element in our kitchens. It serves to enhance the flavors of our foods and helps preserve other foods. The salt we use is pure and remains salty until it is used. However, in Biblical times, salt was not processed from pure salt water or mined. It was gleaned from the marshland around the seashore or from salt lakes that dried up in the summer. Because of this, the salt contained vegetable or earthy substances that would remain after the salt had expired. Salt that was stored on the ground or exposed to elements of the weather would soon loose their saltiness and become insipid. The leftover substance was good for nothing and would kill any fertility. It was not good for the house, yard or garden; so they would toss it out on the roadside to be trodden under foot.
In the above passage, we are told to "have salt in ourselves." How can this be? Let us look at the Greek word used for salt in this passage. The Greek word is halas, that translates prudence. We are to have prudence in ourselves. Webster's dictionary defines prudence as the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. King Solomon said, "A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. “ (Proverbs 15:5) It is through this self-discipline, or prudence, that we can have peace with one another.
Romans 8:1-12 encourages us to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. Notice verse 6! "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” When we discipline ourselves through Jesus Christ, to think spiritually, we are given peace. This, in turn, will help us to live a peaceful life with those around us. Let us look at a few other verses that encourage us to have peace. Notice that in each verse, we must act upon or practice prudence, in order to obtain the goal.
"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (II Timothy 2:22)
"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)
It is very important to maintain prudence (salt) in our lives so we do not become insipid and ruin the relationships round about us! "Salt (prudence) is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?” " (Mark 9:50a)
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." (II Corinthians 13:11)
Questions:
1. What is salt in our lives?
2. Make a list of ways that Christians may struggle with one another.
3. Using your list above, discuss ways to overcome these struggles.
(Remember to use your prudence (salt) while solving these problems.)
4. In II Corinthians 13, how does Paul say we can become complete?
5. Read Acts 9:31. How did the Church experience peace?
6. Define the word prudence.
7. Name some people in the Bible who exemplified the word prudence.
8. Spend some time discussing the analogy between salt and our being the salt. Some possible points would be: We add a desirous element to those around us; we help preserve our faith and country through prayers and righteous living; we can become insipid by our ungodly example.
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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