HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 69
page A67
• E PH E SI A NS 4 :2 9 | Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and
helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Your words should be gracious, effective, good, helpful, and encouraging to others. Foul,
abusive, and angry words are never helpful.
• PR O VE R B S 1 3 :1 7 | An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger
brings healing.
Be a reliable source of communication, trusted to be honest and truthful.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 :1 3 -1 4 | Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing
written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you
will fully understand us, even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day
when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud
of you.
Be straightforward and clear so you can help people grow to maturity. Don’t use complicated words to strut your knowledge, and avoid using “Christianese” (code words only
other believers might know) when talking with new believers.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 6 :4 , 8 | In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. . . .
We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.
We are honest.
• DE U T E R O NO MY 6 :6 -7 | “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these
commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children.
Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are
going to bed and when you are getting up.”
Talk about God’s Word regularly.
• G E NE SI S 5 0 :2 1 | So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Speak kind words to others.
• J O B 1 6 :5 | But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your
grief.
• E PH E SI A NS 4 :2 9 | Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be
an encouragement to those who hear them.
Use words that build others up.
• PR O VE R B S 1 5 :4 | Gentle words are a tree of life.
• PR O VE R B S 2 5 :1 5 | Patience can persuade a prince.
Speak to others with patience and gentleness—particularly in times of conflict.
• 1 PE T E R 3 :9 | Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.
Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will
grant you his blessing.
Use your words to bless others, even when others’ words injure you.
• Z E C H A R I A H 8 :1 6 | “Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just
and that lead to peace.”
Speak truthfully, in a way that promotes justice and peace.
What are the consequences of poor communication?
• PR O VE R B S 1 8 :2 1 | The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the
consequences. (See note on page 574.)
• J A ME S 3 :8 -1 0 | But no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly
poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have
been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same
mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! (See note on page 1123.)
HelpFinder
What kinds of words should I speak?
C
Remember that the way you live communicates much about God and what it means to be
a Christian. What you do may speak much more eloquently than what you say.