Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Genesis 2:18 (ESV)
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
Communication – the exchanging of information
What does scripture tell us about communication?
1. Communication is important.
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
2. Communication takes work.
James 3:8
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Proverbs 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
Proverbs 16:23
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
Luke 6:45
. . . For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Three Steps to Healthy Communication
1. PREPARE to communicate.
- Prepare your heart.
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
- Set a time and place. (Be proactive not reactive)
Proverbs 29:20
Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
2. Communicate with HONOR.
Honor – to regard with respect
- Listen.
James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
• Consider the other person.
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
3) Communicate with HONESTY.
- Be truthful.
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.
• Be gracious.
Colossians 4:6 (ESV)
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
- Be clear.
PREPARE to communicate.
Communicate with HONOR.
Communicate with HONESTY.