How Do We Speak?

One of the main causes of conflict that we have seen through our years of ministry has been caused through problems with communication. In this day and age, you would think that communication would be better than ever. We have email, Facebook, Twitter, What`sApp, Viber, Skype, cell phones, text messaging, and the list goes on! But even though, or maybe because, it`s so easy to communicate with others, misunderstandings still happen. People get hurt and offended by what others say. One part of our problem with modern communications is that we can’t hear the person`s voice and see their body language to understand what they’re saying, or how they’re saying it.

As I read today’s scripture, it struck me how much we need to be gracious to each other and that we really need God’s help to know how to give an answer to each person in our lives! We also need to be gracious when we read what someone else wrote, and not assume they wrote it to hurt us.

As Paul told the church in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we want to encourage one another and build each other up. It doesn`t mean only saying what others want to hear, ‘But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head — Christ’ (Ephesians 4:15).

Let’s choose today to live this way! Let’s seek God first, so we can be truthful and gracious to everyone in our lives. Let’s show God’s love to each other, so the world will see that we’re different.

Prayer: Lord, please help me to be careful what I speak and what I write. Let my words be gracious and encouraging, that I may build Your Kingdom and bring glory to Your name. Amen.