Communication Overview
This originally was going to be a small paper on how a Christian should talk, then the Lord reminded me we communicate with each in various ways in the physical plane:
What we say
Body language (including facial expression)
Touch (senses)
We receive communication as follows:
Hearing
Seeing
Feeling (sensations of touch)
Touching is only between people of intimate relationship or to comfort a person by holding them or putting your arm around them to give them security. Most communication is done through speech and facial gestures and it is interesting that these are so tied together in our makeup that The Bible only discusses the tongue specifically and not communication generally. This is because gestures and body language can be deceptive so are not a good guide as to what the person is really saying.
You have heard the expression "lying with a straight face"? In other words his face did not betray what he was really saying. This is why The Bible usually ignores body language and concentrates on our heart attitude.
Definition of communication: The transference of information in a way the receiver can understand
Aim of communication
Tell another what you are feeling
Physically
Emotionally
Spiritually
Tell another what you are thinking
Communicate abstract ideas
Attitudes
Thoughts about abstract things
Communicate non-abstract things
Thoughts about physical things
Things done in the physical world
Methods
Speech
What you say
How you say it
Body Language
How you present your appearance to the receiver
How you use your body in their presence
Eyes
Hindrances to communication
Physical hindrances to talking or hearing speech
Requires understanding on the communicator
May required physical aids to help hear or speak
Physical hindrances to use body freely or to see body language
May require physical aids to communicate clearly
Mental illness
stops you accepting what others say
Stops you understanding what they say
Reacting wrongly
Not making sure what you hear is what they are trying to say
Not making sure you understand what they say
Not asking The Holy spirit what to reply
No common ground to understand or accept what is communicated
No common language to understand what the person is saying. This is why the gift of tongues has been given
Words used are incorrect or too hard for the receiver to understand the communication
Unwillingness to communicate
The receiver is unwilling to listen
The speaker unwilling to communicate clearly
Aids
Receptive Attitude by the Receiver
Common Basis to start on
Same Language
Common Vocabulary
Common Basis of knowledge to build on
Willingness to Communicate
Ways to overcome communication blockages on hand
These basics are common to worldly and Christian communication but Christian Communication has a depth that worldly communication does not have. This is because The Love of God is behind every thing a Christian does so this places on Christians even greater responsibility to do their best in communicating or receiving communication as God may be behind what is discussed and it is not just a social discussion.
Verses on Speech
Sources of what we say.
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit’s guidance in what we teach 1 cor 2:13
Will teach us how to speak spiritual things 1 Cor 2:13
He gives us understanding to confess Jesus is Lord 1 Cor 12:3
Jesus spoke what The Father told Him to so should we as guided by Holy Spirit Jn 8:28
God well tell us what to speak as we do His work Jn 12:24
The Heart
What we say from out heart can defile us Mat 15:11
What we say shows what’s in our heart Mat 12:34 evil or good Luke 6:45
Speech
Should benefit others
We must speak when God tells us to Acts 18:9
We should always be gracious in speech building up others Col 4:6
We should always be gracious Luke 4:22
We should always speak for the benefit of others 1 Cor 7:35
We should encourage others Acts 13:15
We should always build up others 2 Cor 12:19
We should always be positive about others Eph 5:4
What we say should give others joy Jn 17:13
Prophecy should edify, encourage and comforts people 1 Cor 14:3
Tongues
To speak in an unknown tongue is to speak to God only 1 Cor 14:2
Speaking in an unknown tongue only builds up the speaker not others 1 Cor 14:4
There should be an interpreter 1 Cor 14:5 and what is said should edify the church 1 Cor 14:5
Are of no use unless you speak a revelation, reveal knowledge, prophesy or teach doctrine 1 Cor 14:6
Words not understood are useless 1 Cor 14:9
Misused tongues give a wrong impression to unbelievers 1 Cor 14:23
Wrong speech
Criticism
You will give an account of every careless word Mat 12:36
Words will condemn you or Save you Mat 12:37
What we say defiles us Mat 15:11
No deceit should be in your mouth 1 Pet 2:22
Should not condemn or judge others 2 Cor 7:3
Do not speak evil of one another Jam 4:11
Do not speak negatives things Col 3:8
Should not bless and curse at the same time Jam 3:10
Be careful no to give the adversary a chance to speak ill of us and accuse us before God 1 Tim 5:14
God will show your empty words 1 Cor 3:19
Do not use flattering words 1 Thes 2:5
Speech that cannot be criticised or faulted Titm2: 8
We don’t need to make up things because of hope in Jesus 2 Co3 3:12
Wisdom
Should speak accurately about the things of God Acts 18:25
We should speak the wisdom of God 1 Cor 2:7
Do not use unusual words but plain everyday speech 1 Cor 14:9
Always speak sound doctrine Tit 2:1
Mature Christians should always speak wisdom 1 Cor 2:6
Always listen before you speak Jam 1:19
I should speak what I need to Col 4:4
Manner of
Remember we represent God as we talk 1 Pet 4:11
You should say what you believe 2 Cor 4:13
Speak to ourselves (in our minds) in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in our heart Eph 5:19
Never complain as God will always supply your need Phi 4:11
A righteous man will always speak things to bring God Glory Jn 7:18.
Should always be thankful Eph 5:4
For the glory of Lord giving thanks to The Father Col 3:17
Love
Service without Love is useless 1 Cor 13:1
If you Love someone you will al ways tell them the truth Eph 4:15
Unity
Unity will be shown by all speaking the same thing 1 Cor 1:10
Love is expressed through speaking truth 1 Jn 3:18
Worship should be in unity Rom 15:6
Mature believers should be an example of 1 Tim 4:12
Control of
Shows person is mature in their faith James 1:26
Prevents conflict James 3:5
Stops it defiling others James 3:6
Need to give control of it to The Holy Spirit James 3:8
Required if you want to live a good life 1 Pet 3:10
Declaring the Gospel (which includes how we relate to others)
Do not need to be an orator or very intelligent 1Cor 2:1
Don’t need words of persuasion but demonstrate Power of Holy Spirit 1 Cor 2:4
Must be ready to preach it any time 2 Tim 4:2
A Christian should do this as a natural desire Acts 4:20
Speak only of the things Christ has done through you Rom 15:18
Must not be corrupted by us 2 Cor 2:17
We speak the Gospel to give God pleasure 1 Tom 2:14
God will give us what we need to say Luke 21:15
Boldness in speech comes from Jesus Acts 4:29
Remember we represent God as we talk 1 Pet 4:11
Some of the reasons God made marriage
To have someone beside us to encourage us in our Christian walk
To have someone beside us in ministry for Jesus that compliments us
To bring Him Glory and worship by the way they live and minister
To help populate the earth with children that will love Jesus and follow Him
To be example of how The Body of Christ should relate to each other
To have a companionship of the hear that reflects our relationship with God
For our pleasure and Joy
May this book help you in these God-given activities.
Neville and Susan Salvetti