What does the Bible say about communication?
Good communication is a skill that must be taught. Being able to communicate well is vital for all relationships, whether it be work relationships, friendships, or in marriage. It is one of the most important skills in life. There are many seminars and books available on the subject, but what does the Bible say about communication?
Christian quotes about communication
“The truest communication with God is absolute, total silence; there is not a single word in existence that can convey this communication.” — Bernadette Roberts
“God longs intensively for unhindered communication and total response between him and the believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit.”
“The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.”
“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” James Humes
“Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.”
“By friendship you mean the greatest love, the greatest usefulness, the most open communication, the noblest sufferings, the severest truth, the heartiest counsel, and the greatest union of minds of which brave men and women are capable.” Jeremy Taylor
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.” Brother Lawrence
“Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been committed to them by Him who is Himself the great listener and whose work they should share. We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Bible verses about communication with God
Prayer is our way of communicating with God. Prayer is not simply asking God for things – He is not a genie. Our goal of prayer is not to attempt manipulate the Sovereign Creator. We are to pray as Christ prayed, according to the will of God.
Prayer, therefore, is our asking God to bring us closer to Him. Prayer is a time to bring our trouble to Him, to confess our sins to Him, to praise Him, to pray for other people, and to commune with Him. God communicates to us through His word.
We should take time during prayer to be still, and dwell in the truth of His Word. God does not communicate to us verbally or with faint emotions that we must attempt to translate; we don’t have to worry about reading tea leaves. God is a God of order. He is very clear in His words to us.
1) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
2) Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
3) 1 Timothy 2:1-4 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
4) Jeremiah 29:12 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”
5) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
6) John 8:47 “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Communication with people
The Bible has a lot to say about how we communicate with others. We are commanded to do everything for the glory of God, even in the way that we communicate with others.
7) James 1:19 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
8) Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
9) Ephesians 4:29 “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.”
10) Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
11) 2 Timothy 2:16 “But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.”
12) Colossians 3:8 “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
Talking too much in conversation
Talking too much always leads to problems. It not only is selfish and makes it more difficult to listen to whom you’re speaking to, but the Bible says that it leads to trouble.
13) Proverbs 12:18 “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
14) Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
15) Matthew 5:37 “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
16) Proverbs 18:13 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
Being a good listener is important
Just as there are several verses about guarding how we talk and how much we talk, there are many verses that discuss how we are to be a good listener. We should not only hear what the other person has to say, but also listen to their emphasis, and seek to understand the meaning behind the words they are conveying.
17) Proverbs 18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
18) Proverbs 25:12 “Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.”
19) Proverbs 19:27 “Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”
The power of our words
We are going to be held responsible for every word that we say. God created communication. He created great power in words, words can injure other people immensely as well as help build them up. We need to seek to use words wisely.
20) Matthew 12:36 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.”
21) Proverbs 16:24 “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
22) Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
23) Proverbs 15:4 “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
24) Luke 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
25) James 3:5 “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”
Conclusion
Communication is one area that we can all work on and improve in. We must all strive to communicate clearly, truthfully, and lovingly. We must communicate in a way that glorifies God and reflects Christ.
