“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
—Luke 14:34–35 (NLT)
Jesus often used everyday metaphors to convey deep spiritual truths—and this one about salt hits home.
Salt, in the ancient world, was incredibly valuable. It flavored food, preserved meat, purified wounds, and in some cases, was even used as a fertilizer. Salt had purpose. Salt made a difference.
But here, Jesus delivers a challenging word: If salt loses its flavor, it’s useless.
This isn’t just a comment about table seasoning—it’s a warning about spiritual effectiveness. The question He raises is piercing:
Are you still making a difference?
Salt That’s Lost Its Flavor
This teaching comes directly after Jesus speaks of the high cost of discipleship. He says things like:
- “If you want to be My disciple, you must carry your cross…”
- “You must count the cost…”
- “You must love Me above all else…”
Then He drops this: “Salt is good—but if it loses its flavor, what’s the point?”
Jesus is drawing a clear line. A disciple who has lost their spiritual edge, who no longer influences, who no longer lives distinctively—is like flavorless salt.
Not only ineffective, but discarded.
That’s a serious warning for worship leaders, pastors, volunteers, and any follower of Christ. We are meant to be salty: full of godly influence, spiritual vitality, and heavenly purpose.
What Does It Mean to Be “Salty” in a Spiritual Sense?
1. You Live with Distinction
Salt is noticeable. It enhances. It preserves. As believers, we are called to be different from the world—not weird or self-righteous, but graciously set apart. Your joy, peace, love, and convictions should point people to Jesus.
2. You Carry Your Cross
Being salty means we’ve counted the cost and are following Jesus with everything we’ve got. It’s a daily decision to surrender. Discipleship isn’t a part-time gig—it’s a full-life call.
3. You Influence Others
Just as salt touches everything it’s sprinkled on, your presence should impact your family, your church, your small group, your workplace, your worship team. You are there to season, preserve, and reflect the love of Christ.
How Do We Lose Our Saltiness?
- When compromise replaces conviction
- When comfort replaces calling
- When passivity replaces passion
- When we stop pressing in and start coasting spiritually
None of us are immune to this drift. That’s why Jesus ends His statement with:
“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
How to Regain Your Saltiness
If you feel like your spiritual edge has dulled, there’s hope. Jesus is the restorer of broken things.
- Repent and realign. Be honest with God and let Him reignite the fire.
- Renew your passion and love for God. Spend time in worship and the Word, not just out of habit, but out of hunger. Let your heart be stirred again by who He is.
- Recommit to His Word. Let Scripture sharpen and shape your heart.
- Reengage with the mission. Step out, serve, pray, lead, and love again.
- Reconnect with the Spirit. Let Him fill and empower you daily.
You don’t have to stay stale. You can be seasoned again.
Final Thoughts
There’s a world that desperately needs believers who are making a difference. Not blending in, but standing out in love, truth, and purpose.
Let’s be the salt Jesus was talking about. Let’s stay spiritually sharp, passionately committed, and joyfully surrendered.
Don’t fade. Don’t coast. Don’t lose your flavor.
You were made to make a difference.
Reflection Questions:
- Is there any area of my life where I’ve started to “blend in” rather than stand out?
- What spiritual habit do I need to return to?
- Who in my life needs to be seasoned by my influence?
If this message spoke to you, feel free to share it or leave a comment below. Let’s encourage one another to stay salty—and keep making a Kingdom difference.
