According the insight of Urban Dictionary, "salty," when used as a slang term, can be used to describe someone who is "angry, agitated, or upset," as well as someone who is "mean, annoying, and repulsive."
"Sweet"- : something that is sweet to the taste: being, inducing, or marked by the one of the five basic taste sensations that is usually pleasing to the taste; pleasing to the mind or feelings : AGREEABLE, GRATIFYING —often used as a generalized term of approval
There is wisdom to be gained in the understanding of words, as we explore the sense of taste this week.
Have you ever thought of yourself as palatable? Do you taste good to others when you are around them? People are tasting and experiencing something from us on a daily basis and the sweetness or saltiness they taste is our choice to make.
"Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:5-6,9-12
I truly believe our words hold way more sway and power than what we realize. We know the bible says: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Prov. 18:21
Eat of it's fruit? This scripture is a powerful truth that helps us understand the importance of guarding our tongues.
"The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts." Prov.18:6-8
"The mouths of fools are their own undoing and their lips are a snare to their very lives."
It's not hard to sense a salty person when they gossip, but can you sense their saltiness, when their words are sweet? Your sense of taste will be heightened when around such people. I believe the Lord even allows us to experience a negative taste in our mouths when we are around a deceptive person. Their words might appear to be sweet but the truth of those words can be tasted by Holy Spirit within you. Your sense of feeling may also be activated, leaving you feeling dirty or defiled, even when their words didn't seem so bad.
Solomon goes on to say-" the words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts." That word inmost means deep within, inward part, room, chamber. I would dare say this is where bitterness gets a root in us, either in our hearts or in our guts as we eat of the fruit of our words or the words of others. Don't consume all the words you hear dear ones!! Some words should never be digested when fed by a salty person.
Whatever you eat in the natural goes to your stomach-right? So whatever words you speak or consume from others, also travels deep within you as well, landing in your inmost parts. My spiritual mother always told me that you have many brains within you. One of those brains is in your gut (digestive system) and that's why many times if you think about something that upsets you or makes you nervous- you end up in the bathroom. I know that's a picture you might not want painted today but it helps us see more clearly how words affect us.
We must never forget that we are 3 part beings (spirit, soul & body) and whatever affects one part of us- affects all parts as well. This gives a whole new meaning to tasting through our senses, doesn't it? I believe this is wisdom the Lord wants to us to learn early on in life.
Unfortunately I haven't scored a 100% on this test yet, but I am trusting God to help me grow in this area.
TASTING OF HIS GOODNESS
As we look at our responsibility to scripture and our ability to help someone else taste of the goodness of God, let us look no further than Psalm 34:8. In the message translation King David says:
"I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with praise.....Join me in spreading the news; let's get the word out together."
When you bless God through praise or sweet words, you are tasting of his goodness and also allowing others the opportunity to taste of his goodness too.
The amplified translation says- AT ALL TIMES-GOOD & BAD:
"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My life makes it's boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. O Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together."
"My life (my soul) makes it's boast in the Lord."
Even when you are in a valley or in a storm you still have the opportunity to taste and see that the Lord is good.
"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."
Thanking God in the midst of trouble, may be a sacrifice, but it positions us to taste and see his goodness in a whole new way.
"Lord, even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight..." Ps. 23:4-5 TPT
ACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:
Ask the Lord to help you be aware of the words coming out of your mouth
Mediate on Psalm 23 & 34-especially on blessing the Lord at all times and tasting of his goodness even in the midst of trouble
Find someone to speak encouraging, life giving words to, and watch how this passage comes to life in them.
Practice tasting the words of your own lips-I bet you will find that the sweeter your words the better you will feel.
Relevant scriptures to read-Hebrews 6:4-5, 1 Peter 2:3, Psalm. 119:103, Jeremiah 15:16, Matt. 5:13