Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32

Christians Should Be Good Communicators

Intro.

1. Good communication is crucial to good relations:

a. Marriage, Eph. 5:24-25.

b. Parents-children, Eph. 6:1-4.

c. Employer-employee, Eph. 6:5-9.

d. God-people (revelation of truth) | People-God (prayer), Heb. 1:2; Phil. 4:6.

e. Brethren in the church, Eph. 4:15; Rom. 12:4-8.

2. We must work to improve ourselves as communicators, Eph. 4:29-32.

3. Marks of a good communicator from Proverbs.

A Good Communicator Will:

· Prov. 10:11...........Try to help rather than be cruel with words

-Soft answer v. harsh words, 15:1-2

· Prov. 10:12-13......Speak from a good understanding of his/her topic, people, etc., Phil. 1:9-11

-Not from hot emotions, defensiveness, etc. that inflame, Eph. 4:31

· Prov. 10:14..........Speak from knowledge (of God’s truth)

-Allows for patience and longsuffering with others, Col. 1:9-11

-Must be done humbly and with the love of God, 1 Cor. 8:1-3

· Prov. 10:18..........Not be deceptive with his words

-Integrity and honesty are hallmarks of productive communication

-Anything less has an (unseemly, evil) agenda, Eph. 4:29

· Prov. 10:19..........Be judicious with his words

-Big part of communicating is listening, James 1:19-20

-Wisdom restraints the tongue from sparking disasters, James 3:5

· Prov. 10:20..........Reflect his (upright) heart as he speaks

-Recognizes his/her words reflect the heart, and so seeks to
communicate righteous qualities (honesty, truth, peace, and love), 2 Tim. 2:24-26

· Prov. 10:21..........Have the welfare of his listener(s) in mind

-Grace is on this person’s lips, Col. 4:6

-To spread blessing of knowledge, Prov. 15:7

· Prov. 25:11........Meets the needs of others with careful words

-Properly spoken: Timely, appropriate, cf. Eph. 4:15

· Prov. 25:12........Speak helpful words

-Faithful wounds of a friend better than false flattery, Prov. 27:6

· Prov. 25:13........Be reliable in counsel and trustworthy of others

-The “telephone” game does not describe the effective communicator

-He bears true testimony, dependable, his word is his bond, James 5:12

· Prov. 25:14..........Not exaggerate in order to advance himself in the sight of others

-He is not a “know it all” (Job 12:1-2) | Humbly helps without seeking acclaim

· Prov. 26:17..........Know when not to speak

-He is not arrogant to think he must be the arbiter of every dispute

-Not a meddler (busybody) in other people’s matters, 1 Pet. 4:15

· Prov. 26:18-19.....Know that inappropriate humor hinders communication

-He is not crude and tactless – saying, “that’s just the way I am!” Eph. 5:3-4

· Prov. 26:20-22.....not tell tales, but will speak to the person who needs to hear his words

-Will not be hypocritical with others

-Oh, how we need this trait! Matt. 5:23-25; 18:15

· Prov. 26:23-28.....not use deceptive, flattering words

-Wicked (false teachers) disguise their motives with smooth words, Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Pet. 2:3

· James 3:1-6..........Exercise self-control, knowing the power of words and accountability for them (Matt. 12:36-37)

-Thinks before speaking, for what is said will teach something (1)

-Strives to be mature in word (2) and control them for good (8)

Conclusion

1. God is the Great Communicator, Heb. 1:1-2.

2. Should we not imitate His heart and His words, and speak truth without anger and corruption, but with grace and kindness? Eph. 4:25-32

By: Joe R. Price

Posted August 13, 2019