Bill Johnson - Salt, Adding Flavor to Our World
So when you and I maintain saltiness, it’s because we’ve maintained a connection to God’s purposes and plans on the earth. You are the salt of the earth. If the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. In my early years as a disciple following Jesus, when I would come across these verses, I would remember that in biblical times, salt was used to preserve meat. So when I read, «You’re the salt of the earth,» I felt the Lord was saying that we are what helps to preserve culture and values in society. I refer to that as a secondary truth, an implied truth. It’s not the specific truth Jesus brought up; in other words, He addresses one thing, but the implication is the preservation of values and ways of thinking.
Jesus said if salt loses flavor, it’s for flavor. On most of our kitchen tables, we have salt and pepper. Pepper changes the flavor of a meal; salt enhances it. The important thing to consider when we talk about being salt is our assignment to add flavor. Listen carefully: to add flavor to what already exists in our community. Not all invention, creativity, beauty, or medical advancements come from believers. By design, many of these things come from unbelievers. Why? Because it rains on the just and the unjust. If it all came from us, we’d become proud, arrogant, and want to be in charge; that wouldn’t be healthy for us.
So a huge part of being effective as salt in a culture is that we recognize God’s value on the unbeliever before they have placed their faith in Him. He gives them ideas; He works through them. I believe we owe every believer at least three levels of honor, and every human being two levels of honor. Number one: every person is created in the image of God. Every person represents an aspect of God’s nature that no one else represents. Number two: every person has been gifted by God to function in life. One may have five talents, another three, and another one. There are varying levels of grace that God assigns to individuals, but every person has been given something. It’s people with a prophetic nature who have a tenderness toward celebrating and valuing others if they can see the gifting and grace in that individual.
It’s about affirming, acknowledging, and celebrating what God has put in them. For example, saying, «I love how you put colors together,» or, «I love how you perceived this yard and made it look so beautiful.» Or, «I love how you seem to connect people. Every time I’m at a dinner at your house, you always seat the right people next to each other.» These little things require intentionality to find the treasure in someone else. Salt enhances the flavor that already exists.
In certain cities in our country, like Austin, Texas, there is a unique music culture. Who decided that? There are cities where it seems that every furniture manufacturer in the country is located in one area. Who decided that this area is for furniture? I don’t know who decides that, but someone must have had a breakthrough. They attract others and revel in the grace assigned to that particular area. It’s wise for us to perceive and see what God has designated over a city or region, and then sow into it to honor, value, celebrate, and acknowledge it.
You’re the salt of the earth. Salt that has lost its flavor—the term «lost flavor» in the original language equates to foolishness. So what is salt with flavor? It’s easy; you just look at the opposite. Salt without flavor is foolish. Salt with flavor is wisdom. Wisdom is the mind of Christ. In 1 Corinthians, Jesus is the person of wisdom; He is wisdom personified. He illustrates the mind of the Father perfectly.
When you and I maintain saltiness, it’s because we’ve maintained a connection to God’s purposes and plans on the earth. It’s not just about offering good counsel on investments; rather, it’s the prophetic edge on my life that perceives shifts in seasons and knows how to position for them. When that kind of saltiness exists in our lives, those around us begin to savor the flavor we bring to the community.
Most of us like to be the salt of the earth, thinking of it like a salt shaker. We unscrew the top and dump the entire contents on the corner of the dinner plate because we like to be together. We don’t enhance the meal’s flavor collectively. You’re in the shaker, and in another 20 minutes, you’re going to get sprinkled. Some of you in certain neighborhoods may not even realize it, but the way you live your life and your value system—it’s not just about preaching from a soapbox; it’s about how you live.
Prophesy identity and purpose into your community; it is salt. You are defining the reasoning and purpose of God behind all our existence. That edginess helps keep you in place for radical influence. Personally, I’ve been praying for us to increase in wisdom. I think I’ll stop praying for that and instead ask God to make people miserable without it, so they pray on their own. Just realizing, «Oh, I need greater wisdom for this.» That kind of dependency—approaching Him poor in spirit—"God, I need you to give me that touch of divine wisdom because I want to represent you well.»