This sermon explores the importance of effective communication in fostering unity and wisdom in relationships, emphasizing listening, understanding, and careful speech.
Good morning, church family! I feel a warm sense of joy and anticipation as I stand before you today. We’re here, not by accident, but by God's divine appointment. We are here to share, to learn, to grow, and most importantly, to encounter God in a real and transformative way. Today, we are going to talk about something that is essential to every sphere of our lives, something that can make or break relationships, something that can bring either unity or division, peace or conflict, wisdom or folly. We’re going to talk about communication.
As we prepare to engage with this topic, I am reminded of a profound statement made by Charles Spurgeon. He once said, "Be not such a wiseacre as to think you have nothing to learn from others." This quote is a humble reminder that we are all students in the school of Christ, continuously learning and growing in our walk with the Lord.
Let's turn to the scriptures. James 1:19 says, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Proverbs 18:2 tells us, "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." Proverbs 13:3 cautions, "Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin." And Proverbs 1:5 encourages, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance."
These scriptures provide us with valuable wisdom about how we should communicate. They remind us to listen more than we speak, to seek understanding rather than merely airing our own opinions, to guard our words, and to continuously seek wisdom and guidance.
In the realm of human interaction, the art of communication is like a bridge. It connects us with others, allowing us to share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It's through this bridge that we can reach out to others, understand them, and let them understand us. But building this bridge is not always easy. It requires patience, understanding, and most importantly, love.
When we think about communication, we often focus on speaking. We think about what we want to say, how we want to say it, and when we want to say it. But the Bible reminds us that listening is an equally, if not more, important part of communication. James 1:19 tells us to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." This means that before we even think about speaking, we should listen. And not just hear the words that are being said, but truly listen, with our hearts and minds fully engaged.
Listening is more than just a passive activity. It's an act of love. When we listen, we are saying to the other person, "I value you. I care about what you have to say. Your thoughts and feelings matter to me." This kind of listening can build strong, healthy relationships. It can bridge the gap between misunderstanding and understanding, between conflict and resolution, between hurt and healing.
But listening is just the first step. Once we have listened, we need to respond. And here, the Bible gives us another piece of wisdom: be slow to speak. This doesn't mean we should be silent. Rather, it means we should think before we speak. We should consider our words carefully, making sure they are truthful, kind, and helpful. Our words have the power to build up or tear down, to heal or to hurt. So, we need to use them wisely.
The third aspect of communication is controlling our emotions. The Bible tells us to be "slow to become angry." Anger often leads to harsh words and rash decisions. It can cloud our judgment and make us say things we don't mean. But if we control our anger, if we take a moment to calm down and think clearly, we can communicate in a way that is respectful and constructive.
Finally, we need to seek wisdom and guidance in our communication. Proverbs 1:5 encourages us to "let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." This means we should be open to learning from others, to receiving feedback and advice. We should also seek guidance from God, asking Him to help us communicate in a way that is pleasing to Him and beneficial to others.
As we continue to reflect on the wisdom of the scriptures, let's turn our attention to the sacred institution of marriage ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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