The Impact of Words

Have you considered the great impact that your words have?

A careless comment, an offense or a sarcastic sneer. What does it communicate to others?

Your words have the power to bring life or death to the heart of your fellow man. What you say and do can make or break others; it can strengthen them in the Lord or weaken their faith.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and whoever loves it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21)

“Why is it so difficult to have good communication with those who are closest to me?”

To maintain mature communication, we must be sincere and behave as we are before the people who love us. The fear of rejection leads us to invent various techniques to hide our insecurity and fear. We may not be aware of it, but it can be a destructive habit that we acquired in childhood and continue to use in adulthood. That is why it is difficult for us to have a sincere and correct communication.

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I judged as a child; but when I was already a man, I left what was childish”. (1 Corinthians 13:11)

“How can I communicate in a way that is more pleasing to God?”

The form of communication that is most pleasing to God is that which reflects the Lord Jesus Christ in all that he says and does. Let Jesus Christ be Lord of his life and let him speak his words and perform his actions through you.

“The word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, teaching and exhorting one another in all wisdom, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16,17)

The “Ten Commandments” of Communication

  1. You will always speak the truth. (Proverbs 12:22)
  2. Always use your words to please God. (Psalms 19:14)
  3. Take care that your words always give life to the listener. (Proverbs 18:21)
  4. Make sure your words encourage others. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
  5. Let your words always be conveyed gracefully. (Ecclesiastes 10:12)
  6. Study so that your words are spoken with wisdom. (Proverbs 10:13)
  7. Choose your words wisely. (Proverbs 10:19)
  8. Express your words at the best time. (Proverbs 15:23)
  9. Consider your words as an investment. (Proverbs 12:14)
  10. Do what you can so that your words are spoken in love. (1 Corinthians 13:1)

“You shall not bear false witness against”. (Exodus 20:16)

Guidelines for Communicating Effectively

Effective communication that produces good relationships has three basic characteristics.

  1. Warmth— Consists of conveying acceptance and courtesy.

Warmth says, “You are important to me. I consider you to be of great value. I respect you and enjoy your company. I do not want you to be the same as me, but rather that you achieve your maximum personal potential.

  1. Sincerity— Is not having ulterior motives.

Sincerity communicates that: “I am not trying to manipulate you, nor do I want you to do my bidding. I want you to feel safe in communicating with me and to trust that I will be completely honest with you.”

  1. Empathy—put yourself in the other person’s circumstances; “get in the other’s shoes”

Empathy says: “Although I do not fully understand what you are experiencing, I try to understand what you are feeling and the challenges you face. I will try to understand you and not force you to understand me.

“Golden apple with silver figures is the word said as it should”. (Proverbs 25:11)

key verse to memorize

“Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth, but what is good for the necessary edification, in order to give grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Key passage to study and meditate

Ephesians chapter 4

listen to others

Get in Touch

  • Communicate interest.
  • Obey the truth, don’t talk about the past.
  • Show that you understood the message.
  • Use messages in the first person “I” instead of accusing “you”.
  • Never say “never”.
  • Invest in yourself and understand the other’s love language.
  • Remove all tampering from your
  • Conversations.
  • Just trust that God is in control of everything and that in due time he will answer.
  • Explain yourself when there is confusion
  • Always avoid arguments
  • Eliminate unrealistic expectations

“Because of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. (Matthew 12:34)