Starla and I were recently in California. We had stopped in a grocery store to pick up a few items. As we walked up to the counter to pay, the employee behind the register asked, “How are you today” I responded “I’m doing great, how are you?” He looked up from the cash register, his tone changed, as he inquired, “So what part of Texas are you from? I laughed and asked, “Did my accent give me away that quick? He said, “I can recognize a Texan anywhere.”
I was actually proud to be recognized as a Texan.
This made me think of the time after Jesus had been arrested. Peter was confronted again.
Matthew 26:73 “After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
After this Peter denied knowing Jesus for the third time.
I believe that our accent should give us away. I’m not talking about the actual tone of your voice, but rather the content of your words.
I think people should hear a difference in the way followers of Christ talk and the way the world talks.
Read this verse below.
Colossians 4:6 “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
What does this mean? Your conversation should be…
- Full of grace– Your words should be full of that which is wholesome, kind, gentle, truthful and loving.
- Seasoned with salt– Salt can sting when it is applied to a wound. So does the truth when it is spoken. Salt prevents corruption and preserves. Our words can rescue conversations from impure topics and negative tones. Salt also adds flavor. Your words can add the needed encouragement to anyone’s life. You just have to speak it.
The word of the day is accent. If your accent is strong enough people will recognize where you are from. My hope is that your words today will have the accent of grace and seasoned with salt, so people will see Jesus in you.
This will make your life, your family, your world, better.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”