Have We Lost Our Saltiness?

Photo by Chris Barbalis 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 by men. (Matt 5:13 NIV84) [see this verse in its context below]

The value of salt

Salt was a valuable commodity in the ancient world and became a form of currency because of its value. Salt is still valuable today but not in the same way as in the time of Jesus.

More than once Jesus spoke of salt in relationship to people—their character and influence. But when He makes this reference it’s to salt losing its saltiness (Mark 9:50 [also see Col 4:6]; Luke 14:34-35).

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—the opposite of what Jesus intended. Today, someone who is salty is bitter, irritated, upset, grumpy, 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, preserve, and purify.

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—

1. Salt is 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.

2. Salt acts 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—they’re worth their salt.

3. Salt purifies. 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 from infection (Ezek 16:4). And salt was used in many offerings under the Law.

   • An old folk remedy is to gargle with salt water to help soothe and heal a sore throat. Saltwater can also be poured into an open wound to prevent infection.

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 uses a figure of speech when He speaks of people as the salt of the earth and of them losing their saltiness. But He uses 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.

1. Salt as a seasoning. Ever taste oatmeal or french fries without salt? It’s bland, boring, and tasteless! Christian believers are to add flavor wherever we are and whoever we’re with. How? We can be encouragers, thoughtful of others, caring, and compassionate towards others.

   • We are to be influencers for the good of others.

2. Salt in a preservative sense. Are you concerned about a decline in moral standards and indifference to biblical truth? Integrity of character is more important and relevant than ever. The popular perception of Christianity continues to be influenced and shaped by culture rather than orthodox Christian beliefs and values.

   • When believers hold to what is true and are faithful followers of Jesus, we preserve what is right, true, and good (Pro 1:3; 2:9).

3. As agents of purity. Are you more concerned with the purity of your food than the purity of your heart and faith? Our tendency, as humans, is to try to change what or who surrounds us to suit our needs. Even when we try to change ourselves or life, we tend to work on our outer image rather than our internal being.

   • We need to maintain a sense of purity in our own hearts and minds if we want to be a purifying influence in the world around us and the lives of others (Micah 6:8).

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, take in the truth of His Word and be renewed in our minds, be filled and empowered by His Spirit, and remain in fellowship with other citizens of God’s Kingdom.

Reflection—

If you don’t want to lose your saltiness—influence others for good, do what is right, true and good, and pursue purity of heart and mind.

Prayer Focus—

If and when 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 and for assurance and encouragement in how to be the salt of the earth in honor of Jesus.

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Devo Scripture Text

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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 by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

(Matthew 5:1-16 NIV84)