"Of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
Luke 6:45
Let's answer some communication questions:
(1) What is good communication? It's honest, positively intended, two-way sharing. It isn't "dumping" or giving someone a piece of your mind! The first law of verbal ecology is: garbage is not biodegradable! It recycles, festering with time. "The words of a talebearer are as wounds...they go down into the innermost parts of the belly" (Pr 18:8). Many a word accompanies the hearer to their grave.
(2) What should we communicate? The truth. "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight" (Pr 12:22 NKJV). But truth can be given like the blow of a sledgehammer or like a soothing hand of friendship. It should be communicated after advance thought for its impact. "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things" (Pr 15:28 NAS).
(3) How much should we communicate? As much as God's Word, love and wisdom dictate. Children and distressed people frequently need only limited information. "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards" (Pr 29:11).
(4) How should we communicate? "How" can be as important as "what," so speak with consideration for the hearer's feelings. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Pr 15:1 NAS). The hearer's response is conditioned by your words.
(5) When should we communicate? Check your timing; it's vital! "It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time" (Pr 15:23 NLT). If you're not certain about your timing, wait and pray for wisdom!
FATHER'S DAY IS JUNE 19.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
MIND YOUR MOUTH, PART 2
"Of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
Luke 6:45
"Oh, it was just a bunch of meaningless words. No big deal!" Wrong! Our words are a big deal and they do mean a lot! "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (NKJV).
Your words have either negative or positive impact.
(1) Consider some negatives. They can wound people to the core. "There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword" (Pr 12:18 NAS). They can break down a person's spirit, stripping them of the courage for living. "Perverseness in it [the tongue] breaks the spirit" (Pr 15:4 NKJV). Carelessly spoken words between people can destroy relationships. "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor" (Pr 11:9 NKJV). Emotional, and possibly even physical death, can result from words. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Pr 18:21 NKJV).
(2) Consider some positives. Your words can spark life into a relationship. "A soothing tongue is a tree of life" (Pr 15:4 NAS). The right words can help heal wounded relationships. "Pleasant words are...sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Pr 16:24 NIV). Well-chosen words can help us to understand each other. "Sweetness of the lips increases learning" (Pr 16:21 NKJV). Words spoken at the right times can bring us closer together. "The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl" (Pr 25:11 NCV).
What you say matters, so mind your mouth.
Luke 6:45
"Oh, it was just a bunch of meaningless words. No big deal!" Wrong! Our words are a big deal and they do mean a lot! "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (NKJV).
Your words have either negative or positive impact.
(1) Consider some negatives. They can wound people to the core. "There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword" (Pr 12:18 NAS). They can break down a person's spirit, stripping them of the courage for living. "Perverseness in it [the tongue] breaks the spirit" (Pr 15:4 NKJV). Carelessly spoken words between people can destroy relationships. "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor" (Pr 11:9 NKJV). Emotional, and possibly even physical death, can result from words. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Pr 18:21 NKJV).
(2) Consider some positives. Your words can spark life into a relationship. "A soothing tongue is a tree of life" (Pr 15:4 NAS). The right words can help heal wounded relationships. "Pleasant words are...sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Pr 16:24 NIV). Well-chosen words can help us to understand each other. "Sweetness of the lips increases learning" (Pr 16:21 NKJV). Words spoken at the right times can bring us closer together. "The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl" (Pr 25:11 NCV).
What you say matters, so mind your mouth.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
MIND YOUR MOUTH, PART 1
Psalm 52:1-4
The tongue is one of the smallest parts of the body, yet it can do the most damage. In these verses David writes about an experience he had with Doeg, who had a wicked, boastful tongue. David cautions us about two kinds of damaging tongues.
First, beware of a boastful tongue. Doeg was a proud man. In his boastful pride, he told Saul about David, and it cost people's lives. We like to boast because it inflates our ego. But those who boast should boast in the Lord. If we boast in the Lord, we glorify Him.
Second, beware of a sharp tongue. David says of Doeg, "Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully" (v. 2). He had a lying, sharp tongue. "You love evil more than good, and lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue" (w. 3,4). Have you ever been cut by someone's sharp tongue? Or worse, have you ever cut someone with your words? What really hurts is when we cut someone with lies. Lying is a terrible sin. Satan is a liar and a murderer. He wants to use our tongues to spread deceit, not righteousness.
In verse 1 David magnifies the goodness of God: "The goodness of God endures continually." When we boast of the goodness of God, our tongues are medicine that heals, not sharp razors that cut. Our tongues are used to speak righteousness, not to spread lies. They will boast about the Lord, not about ourselves. Let's yield our hearts to God so that our tongues might be used for blessing.
We need to keep our tongues under control. They are capable of causing great damage. Beware of having a boastful or sharp tongue. Be careful that your tongue does not spread lies. And when others slander you, don't reciprocate with your own tongue. Instead, use your tongue to glorify God and to speak of His goodness.
The tongue is one of the smallest parts of the body, yet it can do the most damage. In these verses David writes about an experience he had with Doeg, who had a wicked, boastful tongue. David cautions us about two kinds of damaging tongues.
First, beware of a boastful tongue. Doeg was a proud man. In his boastful pride, he told Saul about David, and it cost people's lives. We like to boast because it inflates our ego. But those who boast should boast in the Lord. If we boast in the Lord, we glorify Him.
Second, beware of a sharp tongue. David says of Doeg, "Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully" (v. 2). He had a lying, sharp tongue. "You love evil more than good, and lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue" (w. 3,4). Have you ever been cut by someone's sharp tongue? Or worse, have you ever cut someone with your words? What really hurts is when we cut someone with lies. Lying is a terrible sin. Satan is a liar and a murderer. He wants to use our tongues to spread deceit, not righteousness.
In verse 1 David magnifies the goodness of God: "The goodness of God endures continually." When we boast of the goodness of God, our tongues are medicine that heals, not sharp razors that cut. Our tongues are used to speak righteousness, not to spread lies. They will boast about the Lord, not about ourselves. Let's yield our hearts to God so that our tongues might be used for blessing.
We need to keep our tongues under control. They are capable of causing great damage. Beware of having a boastful or sharp tongue. Be careful that your tongue does not spread lies. And when others slander you, don't reciprocate with your own tongue. Instead, use your tongue to glorify God and to speak of His goodness.
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