Luke 14:34-35 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away.”
Jesus states that “unsalty” salt can neither be used for soil (as fertilizer) nor for manure pile. In Bible times, the compost that was used in agriculture was animal waste. Salt spread over the manure pile prevented the manure from rotting or fermenting. Furthermore, salt preserved the fertilizing properties of the manure. Hence salt was extremely valuable not only as a food preservative but also as a fertilizer. Hence if salt loses its saltiness, it will lose the secondary usefulness of conserving compost. According to the Salt Institute, there are 14,000 different uses for salt. However, the primary uses of salt in the ancient world were as a flavouring condiment, preservative and a fertilizing agent.
Jesus used very familiar pictures from ordinary life to illustrate profound spiritual truth. In the scriptures, soil is the analogy that describes the condition of a man’s heart. Luke 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. A fertile soil contains the major nutrients for plantation such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Our influence as “salt” in society must enhance the quality, fertility and fidelity of the mind and the condition of the heart (soil).
Salt as a fertilizer to the soil of the heart:
1. Nitrogen: Nitrogen is essential in protein production that keeps the plant green and healthy. Scriptures that build our core values and belief systems are like “nitrogen salt”. They are the statues, instructions and decrees in the Word of God. It helps in the development of our spiritual protein and cultivates a sturdy value system. Ephesians 4:26 Do not let the sun go down while you are still. Be the fertilizer that strengthens the core scriptural values in people who are under your influence.
2. Phosphorus: Phosphorus aids the process of photosynthesis. It is needed to help plants grow and develop normally. Phosphorus is the component that helps us to grow and flourish spiritually. Meditating on God’s word day and night keeps us healthy, successful and wise. Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Be the fertilizer that builds spiritual systems and stamina for a successful and victorious life.
3. Potassium: Potassium helps to strengthen plants’ abilities to resist disease and their root system. Scriptures with “potassium salt” build immunity against the attack of the devil during tests and trials. If the soil of our heart lacks “potassium” we will wilt and die when we face challenges or crisis. These scriptures teach us strategies to defeat the schemes of the demonic and strengthen the spiritual root system. Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Be the fertilizer that builds resistance, immunity and resilience to overcome fiery trials.
Be the salt fertilizer that inculcates core values, strengthens stamina and builds resilience to the people under your influence.
Mark 9:50 Salt is good.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to understand the nutrients of the Scriptures that fertilize the soil of my heart and use me as a fertilizer to nourish the people around me. Amen.
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