(Mis)Communication

How many times have you misread a text or an email? Now, let’s flip it: how many times have you had a message misinterpreted? Maybe you took your friend’s sarcasm literally, or—in a hurry to get the message out—you typed the wrong date in an important text. As Christians, we’re called to represent God and His love in every part of our lives, even day-to-day communication. The Bible is full of wisdom about our words and our communication with each other. The first wise step in good communication: slow down! Time after time in the Bible, we read that a quick remark, comment, or decision made without thinking often leads to regret. Putting this advice into practice might mean reading over that text before you press “send” or thinking about the effect of a small comment. Second: listen. Listen to the whole story or request before doing anything else. Make sure you aren’t missing any information and that you understand the message before sending off a reply. Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions for clarity. Third: think about the tone of your message. Is it respectful and polite, building others up, or does it tear them down? And, if the communication is digital, think about if you would be comfortable saying the same thing to them in person. Even in our fast-paced world, talking face-to-face is often the best, clearest way to communicate, because we hear voice tone cues and see facial expressions. Whether you’re communicating digitally or in person, remember God made us to live in community with others, honoring Him and each other by loving others through our communication. • Abby Ciona • When have you had a message misinterpreted or misinterpreted someone else’s words? • How can slowing down and focusing on connecting at a personal level help you avoid miscommunication? My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James 1:19 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Proverbs 18:13; Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29