Pay Attention to Your Gatekeeper

The idea of a gatekeeper as a basis for effective communication makes sense. The gatekeeper serves as overseer of what is about to be said to determine its appropriateness, including the tone of voice accompanying the spoken word. The voice of conscience enhanced by the Holy Spirit becomes the gatekeeper for communications and behavior.

The gatekeepers' assessment may be overridden when words are upsetting and threatening. If frustration and anger become unmanageable, then the words that are spoken may result in regrettable consequences. The gatekeeper’s attempts to clean up the hurt and wounded pride may be met with strong resistance.

The Holy Spirit aids the gatekeeper as teacher, counselor, and comforter. Your mission is to be attentive to what is communicated following an overreaction. It takes courage to seek reconciliation, but for those willing to reach out, the appropriate words will find their way to your voice. Pray for guidance and wait for the Holy Spirit to provide it. 

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I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands.

~Ezekiel 36:27 The Message

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A Gatekeeper of Words

Understanding when to speak and how to phrase what needs to be said is crucial to effective communication. Everyone has experienced trying to communicate and not being receptive to a listener. Essential to effective communications is realizing the choice of words and  tone of voice either attract others or turn them away.

What comes to mind when you hear the word gatekeeper? You might think of someone who has authority to permit entrance into an establishment. Each person is in effect a gatekeeper for all the words stored up in their vocabulary, one which has power to unleash a flood of words intended for good or evil. 

Think of yourself as the gatekeeper for your words that produce peace or dissention, good or evil. God’s word directs us to guard our hearts by being a responsible gatekeeper for what we say as well as what we allow ourselves to hear. Ask Christ Jesus to create in you a clean heart and a right spirit. He will do it. 

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Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

~Psalm 141:3 English Standard Version

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