Do you ever wonder how you can communicate better with someone you disagree with? Do you ever regret something you told someone? Can you remember words that made a difference in your life?
Words can have a powerful meaning, and what we say can affect relationships positively or negatively.
Here are some Biblical principles that can help our communication skills with Christ, our family, and our friends.
What God Teaches Us About Healthy Communication
When you communicate with God, your primary mode is through prayer. That’s why it is so important that we have a healthy prayer life.
Praying to God daily will always be the best way to maintain a healthy and strong relationship. God is always listening to you, and he hears your needs.
Another way that God communicates with us is through scripture. He gave us an entire Bible with lessons and words to read. You never know what God wants you to learn if you don’t read the Bible. It’s an important way to connect with Him.
Another way God communicates with us is through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit communicates to convict us of sin and helps guide us to the truth.
Jesus said in John 16:7-8:
“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”
The Holy Spirit helps keep us spiritually connected to God.
Now that we know what it takes to keep a strong relationship and healthy communication with God, we can use His resources to help us have healthy conversations in our daily lives. Let’s look at some scripture that can help us communicate our words better:
Bible Verses about Healthy Communication
“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”
– Proverbs 15:1
When conversing with someone on complex topics, it tends to be easier to be defensive towards a person. But we should look at this scripture and knowledge from God and use gentle tones, body language, and words to communicate with someone we disagree with.
“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.”
– Proverbs 15:2
I can relate to this passage a lot. I don’t always think about what I am saying before I speak and later regret what comes out of my mouth. This is a great passage that tells us to slow down when we are speaking so that we say the right things.
“Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.”
– Proverbs 25:11
Communication is more than words. This is something fundamental to know. A big part is nonverbal communication, which includes facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. When having conversations, you want to be respectful to the person you are speaking with. Having good eye contact and making sure you are attentively listening helps build trust and good relationships.
“A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.”
– Ecclesiastes 3:7
TIME is a huge factor in healthy communication. We should learn that sometimes it’s best not to say anything and wait for the best moment to speak. Not every issue should be discussed right away. Take time to think, then go into the conversation when both people have had time to reflect on the conflict.
Communication is something that everyone does, and it’s essential to make sure we have a healthy relationship with it.
