What does it mean to be salt and light?

Fall Apologetics Culture

TL;DR:

Being salt and light means living in a way that reflects God to the world around us. Christians are called to stand out from the darkness of sin, preserving what is good and pointing others to Jesus through both their words and their actions.

what does the bible say?

In Jesus' longest sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, He identifies believers as "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13, 14). Believers are to have a visible and transformative influence on the people around them. This calling did not begin in the New Testament, as God had long intended His people to be a light to the nations, reflecting His character so others would turn to Him (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6). Examples such as Ruth and Rahab demonstrate how faithful witness can lead others to abandon false gods and place their faith in the Lord (Ruth 1:16–17; Joshua 2:9–11). Like salt preserves food and enhances its flavor, Christians are called to preserve what is good and bring a positive, Christ-centered influence into a sinful world (Matthew 5:13). Like light dispels darkness, believers are to shine the truth of God through both their words and their actions (Matthew 5:14–16). Paul echoed this theme by urging Christians to "shine as lights in the world" and to walk as "children of light" in the midst of a dark and fallen culture (Philippians 2:15; Ephesians 5:8–11). May we live as salt and light so others see Christ in us and are drawn to know and follow Jesus too (Matthew 5:16).

from the old testament

In the Old Testament, God's people were to be "a light for the nations" (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6). Many of the Mosaic Laws were meant to emphasize Israel as distinct from the pagan nations around them (Leviticus 20:22–26).
God called His people to be a positive example that reflected Him to the pagan nations around them so they might turn from their false gods and worship the one true God. God provided for this very circumstance (Exodus 12:48-49; Numbers 15:14–16). Ruth is a well-known example of this (Ruth 1:16–17). Rahab likewise turned from the pagan gods of Jericho and placed her faith in the Lord (Joshua 2:9–11; 6:25).

from the new testament

In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, He describes His followers as "the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13). Salt preserves food, and believers metaphorically act as a preserving force in a corrupt world. Salt also flavors food, and believers are to have a positive influence on others by pointing them to Christ, making lives richer, figuratively more "flavorful."
Jesus also calls His followers "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). Others should see Christ in Christians. Believers shine a light into a dark world.
Paul echoed Jesus' message in his letter to the Philippians, telling them that "in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation," they are to "shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15).
Likewise, writing to believers in Ephesus, Paul notes that believers are "children of light" (Ephesians 5:8), who should have "no part in the unfruitful works of darkness" (Ephesians 5:11).

implications for today

Many people will never attend a church service or open a Bible on their own. But they will watch you. They will see how you respond when life becomes difficult. They will notice whether your faith changes the way you handle stress, disappointment, conflict, criticism, and suffering. They will see how you act when life is going well. They will notice what you live for. They will take note of how you uphold marriage and treat others. A life surrendered to God, trusting Him and living for the things of eternity instead of the things of this Earth, can shine brighter than a hundred sermons.

Being salt and light does not require a large platform or public ministry. Most Christians fulfill this calling in conversations around the dinner table, interactions in the workplace, relationships in their neighborhoods, and everyday encounters in their communities. Are you living as salt and light? Ask yourself: if your coworkers, neighbors, classmates, friends, and family formed their opinion of Jesus solely from observing your life, would they see someone worth following?

understand

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorted His followers to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world."
As salt preserves food, Christians should be a preserving force for righteousness in the world.
As light illuminates darkness, believers should shine the truth into the darkness of the world.

reflect

How does your life reflect Christ's exhortation to be "salt" and "light"?
In what situations are you most tempted to blend in with the world rather than stand out as salt and light for Christ?
If your family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors formed their opinion of Jesus solely from observing your life, what conclusions do you think they would draw about Him?

engage

How can we best understand what it means to be salt and light?
What are some practical ways Christians can be salt and light in workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and online communities today?
Why are people often more influenced by a believer's actions than by their words, and how can Christians live with greater consistency?

More Resources

Christian Life

In what ways are we to be the salt of the earth?

Christ calls believers to be the “salt of the earth,” living in a way that distinctly reflects His character, truth, and righteousness in a broken world. When our lives become indistinguishable from the surrounding culture, our witness loses the very influence Jesus intended it to have.

Christian Life

Why is living for God so difficult?

Since our flesh and the Spirit of God are opposed to each other, living for God is often a painful journey.

Father

God is light – What does that mean?

To say “God is light” means that He is absolutely pure, morally perfect, and the source of all truth and life. In Him there is no darkness—no sin, error, or deceit.

Christian Life

How can I be an effective witness for Christ? How can I effectively witness to a lost world?

An effective witness for Christ will seek to reflect Christ's character to a world that needs Him. Well-grounded in Scripture and relying on God’s power, an effective witness trusts that salvation is ultimately God’s work in a person’s life.