Have We Lost Our Saltiness?
Photo by Jason Tuinstra on Unsplash
“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 NIV) [see full text in button/link below]
The Value of Salt
Salt was a valuable commodity in the ancient world and became a form of currency due to its high value. Salt remains valuable today, but not in the same way it was during Jesus’ time.
More than once, Jesus spoke of salt in relationship to people, their character, and their influence. But when He makes this reference, it is to salt losing its saltiness.1
What did Jesus mean by salt losing its saltiness?
The idea of being salty in our current culture has taken on a distorted, even crude sense. It’s the opposite of what Jesus intended. Today, someone who is salty is thought to be bitter, irritated, upset, grumpy, overly sensitive, defensive, or even embarrassed.
But when Jesus spoke of believers as the salt of the earth, He meant it as a good thing. Salt had three primary uses that made it valuable—to flavor food, preserve food, and as a means of purification.
Insights
Salt (sodium chloride) is one of the most basic and stable compounds found on Earth. Salt can dissolve in water, but when saltwater (like the ocean) evaporates, salt remains as a dried compound because of its stability.
So what does Jesus mean when He says, “…if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” Let’s first consider these three basic uses for salt.
Salt as a seasoning. It adds flavor to food. We’ve all tasted food without salt—it lacks flavor! But salt needs to be added in the right proportion to enhance the taste of food. Too much is not good either.
Salt as a preservative. Long before refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food, to prevent it from decaying quickly. This is a primary reason for its value as a currency in ancient times, and where the saying comes from—they’re worth their salt. More on that later.
Salt as a purifier. Under the Mosaic Law, salt was used to leach blood out of meat to make it kosher or clean. When a baby was born, it was cleansed with water and rubbed with salt to protect it from infection (Ezekiel 16:4). Salt was also used in many offerings under the Law. A folk remedy to help soothe and heal a sore throat is to gargle with warm salt water. Saltwater can also be poured into an open wound to prevent infection. I learned this from experience working around boats and saltwater when I was younger.
Redefining the Nature of God’s Kingdom
Back to the question of what Jesus meant by salt losing its saltiness. Impure salt, when mixed with other elements, will lose its saltiness when separated from the other elements. Common salt in the time of Jesus was often taken from brackish marshes. It was impure but more affordable. These impurities lessened the potency of the salt.
Even pure salt, when dissolved in water, can lose its potency. One teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is quite salty, but a teaspoon in a gallon of water is much less salty.
Salt loses its potency when diluted or mixed with impure elements.
So, how does this relate to the idea of salt losing its saltiness? Keep this in mind, Jesus used a figure of speech when He spoke of people as the salt of the earth and of them losing their saltiness. But He used this figure of speech to make a point.
Let’s look at each use in a positive sense of saltiness, then with the idea of dilution or impurities added to the salt.
Salt as a seasoning. Ever tasted oatmeal or French fries without salt? It’s bland, boring, and tasteless! And don’t forget eggs or a soup without salt! Salt is probably the most common seasoning to add flavor to foods.
Christian believers are to add flavor wherever we are and whoever we’re with. How? We can be encouragers, thoughtful of others, and caring and compassionate towards others.
We are to be influencers for the good of others.
Salt in a preservative sense. Are you more concerned with the purity of your food than with your heart and faith? I am, especially in our increasingly post-modern and post-Christian American culture. This is where believers need to become people who are “the salt of the earth” in the sense that Jesus meant it.
Integrity of character is more important and relevant than ever. The idea of integrity of character is to be undivided in mind, heart, and action.2 The popular perception of Christianity continues to be influenced and shaped by worldly culture rather than orthodox Christian beliefs and values.
We can be salt in a preservative sense when our moral values and biblical beliefs are internalized. Once internalized, these values and beliefs need to transform our lives, as well as be an influence upon others. When believers hold to what is true and are faithful followers of Jesus, they preserve what is right, true, and good.3
Salt in us makes us agents of purity. Are you more concerned with the purity of your food than your heart and faith? Personal health is important, but not more important than our spiritual health.
Our natural tendency is to try changing what or who surrounds us to bring about change. But that only changes things externally. Even when we try to change ourselves, we typically work on our outer image rather than our internal being.
Salt, the element, has an intrinsic value that enables it to season, preserve, and purify. Believers also have an intrinsic value. First, we are created in the image of God, as all humanity is. In addition, we have God’s Spirit living in us and transforming our lives from the inside out. As we abide in the Lord (John 15:4-5), He will continue to work in our lives to make us fruitful for Him.
Only as we abide in the Lord can we maintain a sense of purity in our hearts and minds. Then we can become a purifying influence in the lives of others.
You mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 GW)
How can we maintain our saltiness as the salt of the earth?
We need to spend personal time with the Lord in prayer and worship. We need to take in the truth of His Word and be renewed in our minds. We also need to be filled and empowered by His Spirit. Finally, we need to remain in fellowship with other citizens of God’s Kingdom.
Reflection—
If you don’t want to lose your saltiness, be an influence on others for what is good. Do what is right, true, and good, and pursue purity of heart and mind.
Prayer Focus—
If you are concerned about losing your saltiness as a citizen of God’s Kingdom, seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him to show you if that is so. Ask the Lord for guidance and encouragement on how to be the salt of the earth in honor of Jesus.
Footnotes–
Also see– Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35; Colossians 4:6
integrity. (2025). In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity
See– Proverbs 1:3; 2:9
This is an excerpt from a soon-to-be-published book called The Heart and Soul of God’s Kingdom. Look for it on Amazon with my other books— Trip Kimball on Amazon
