What Is Your Preferred Way of Communicating?

How do we communicate? Obviously with language, although not with words alone; the way words are formulated to give meaning to a message are important. The intonation and pitch of your voice and your body language are powerful communication tools.

Looks can be deceptive, such as a smile that communicates a nice greeting while hiding negative feelings and intentions. Everyone knows what it means to give or receive a simple smile, pretending all is well – when it isn’t.

Pretending might serve an immediate purpose, but reality will have to be faced. Psalm 31:5 refers to God as the “God of truth.” John 1:14 portrays Jesus as “full of grace and truth.” Self-evaluations are needed so God’s truth can correct questionable behavior patterns. Asking God for truth, facing that truth, and living with truth form a strategy for overcoming the need to give false impressions.                

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What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. 

~Proverbs 18:21 Good News Bible  

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Truth Brings Forth Trust

One of the most important features of effective communication is our trust in the integrity and honesty of the speaker. That person must be trustworthy because when trust is absent, communication becomes unreliable. An essential principle for effective communication is that our words must represent the highest human values.

An adolescent confided that the most important objective of her life was regaining her mother's trust. A year earlier she had become deceptive in her behaviors and communications. In order to regain her mother’s trust she willingly complied within the boundaries that were compatible with truth and honesty.

Effective communication reflects sound values and virtues. These virtues serve as a guide in times of strife or peace. God's word reminds us to speak the truth in every situation. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." By keeping our trust and faith in Christ Jesus active, we will be able to live with others in that truth.  

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[Jesus prayed,] Your word is the truth. So let this truth make [my followers] completely yours…I have given myself completely for their sake, so that they may belong completely to the truth.

~John 17:17,19 Contemporary English Version

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