Communication

I consider myself a student of how people speak to each other. Unfortunately that hasn’t made me a good or effective communicator. I just study how people talk to each other.

For instance, yesterday I was talking with a friend of mine. He is a good and intelligent man. We are at the same stage of life. However, while we were talking, everything I began to speak about, he turned into a longer discourse about himself. I felt ignored.

At various times I have been convinced that many people talk just to speak. They have little concern that others are listening, understanding or caring about what they say. They just want to talk.

My weakness is using sarcasm and teasing in my speech patterns. I usually am not sensitive to how others are impacted by my words. I have hurt people often and am filled with regret for that.

Is there a better way to communicate with each other? Can we share meaningful conversations with each other that are mutually beneficial?

Paul suggests that we can and should. In Ephesians 4:29 he writes, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Let’s give this command a try in our lives.