In Colossians 4 and 1 Peter 3, Paul and Peter tell us that we can know how and be prepared to give an answer to every man.

Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. – Col 4:6 KJV

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: – 1Pe 3:15 KJV

Know How You Ought to Answer Every Man (Colossians 4:6)

As we study the Scriptures, we see Jesus and the Apostles engaging different people in completely unique ways.

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Seasoned With Salt

Blue Letter Bible gives several meanings for salt including linking it with the word “prudence.” It also lists verses that include “salt.” Jesus tells us to be wise and harmless (Matthew 10:16).

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. – Mat 10:16 KJV

Prudence:

1. : the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason
2. : sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs
3. : skill and good judgment in the use of resources
4. : caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

“Prudence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prudence. Accessed 4 Sep. 2023.

Every Man

Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 how Jesus’ Holy Spirit profits all through the distribution of His gifts as He will.

When Christians walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18, 25), we will operate naturally in these gifts to manifest Jesus’ Holy Spirit as He will.

Sanctify the Lord God (1 Peter 3:15)

Peter instructs us to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts.

The Blue Letter Bible gives the original Greek word, definitions, and other verses containing “sanctify” to help us better understand this text.

We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts by knowing Him (John 17:3). The only way to truly know God is to seek Him through His unadulterated written word. As we read in Find Grace, Noah wasn’t seeking God because he was a righteous man. He was a righteous man because he was walking with God!

You will want to be able to answer every man because you know Him, the Answer, the Truth, the Way, the Life, the Word that became flesh and walked among men, etc. Jesus is Lord.