THE KEY THAT OPENS ANY DOOR.
“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.” (Prov. 16:23)
“You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28)
Ineffective Communication is the #1 Problem in Marriage, Business & Life!
The fact that most women are right-brain dominant (the feeling side of the brain) and most men are left-brain dominant (the factual, analytical side of the brain) in itself creates a communication barrier that can be challenging.
YOUR COMMUNICATION:
- Can extinguish anger or escalate it. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Prov. 15:1)
- Can wound others or heal them. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.” (Prov. 12:18) “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (Prov. 16:24)
- Can infuse life into a person’s spirit “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Prov. 15:4)
- Can save a life or take a life. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Prov. 18:21)
- Can bring delight to others. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Prov. 25:11)
BIBLICAL KEYS TO BETTER COMMUNICATION:
- Speak in such a way that you make others want to listen. “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly.” (Prov. 15:2)
- Learn to become persuasive. “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.” (Prov. 16:23 NIV)
- Listen before speaking. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” (Prov. 18:13)
- Be slow to speak, and guard your words carefully. “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (Prov. 29:20)
- Never tear others down - rather, build them up. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.” (Prov. 12:18)
- Stop while you’re ahead. “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Prov. 10:19)
- Share genuine wisdom. “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom.” (Prov. 10:31a)
- Always speak with kindness and truth. “Whoever hides hatred with lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” (Prov. 10:18)
THREE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR:
- Material Success: “The lips of the righteous feed many.” (Prov. 10:21)
- Joy and Fulfillment: “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is.” (Prov. 15:23) “A man will be satisfied with the good by the fruit of his mouth.” (Prov. 12:14)
- The Friendship of those around you “He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.” (Prov. 22:11)
Thank you Lord for giving us the tongue of the learned, that we might know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. The right word at the right time to the right person. (Isa 50:4)
Dr. George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International