Scripture to Read: Matthew 5:13
God has us focusing on “salt” and “light” this week as we examine Matthew 5:13–16. The question that some ask is, “Can salt go bad?" The answer is both yes and no. Natural salts without any additives can never go bad. Salts have existed for a long time and were used to preserve food in ancient times. So, we know salt can prevent bacterial growth in meat and other foods. We can gargle with warm salt water to help heal a sore throat. So, in its natural form, without additives, salt does not lose its saltiness or flavor. What we use, known as table salt, has additives; therefore, it can lose its flavor and texture over time. The additives degrade over time, so table salts have about five years of shelf life. Jesus said in Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?” As Jesus was challenging His disciples and as He is challenging us, we must make sure we are not allowing “additives” to destroy our saltiness in this world. “Additives” are the things we allow in our lives that cause us to compromise with the ways of this world. We choose to love the ways of the world over loving God and His Word with all our hearts. The “additives” from this world are the things we start to love more than God and His Word, like wealth, popularity, luxury, power, and the world's pleasures. We must guard our hearts against everything this world offers us.
Challenge & Application
· Since Jesus told us that we are “the salt of the earth,” how are you being “salt” to those around you?
· How are you guarding against the “additives” this world wants you to latch onto and therefore lose your saltiness/effectiveness?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!