Lesson 43
How can I become more edifying in my communications?
How you control your tongue often represents your relationship with God. He can change your heart so that your words are coming from a loving heart rather than a barely-controlled fleshly response. Seek Him first to avoid saying things that are not edifying. Rebecca remembers one incident in the kitchen with her husband. “I remember praying and shaking with my efforts to control my tongue and not giving in. Fortunately, God won!” Learning new ways of speaking that reflect the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) can feel forced at first as you deny what your flesh wants to say and you substitute your response with something more appropriate. This forced feeling is reduced as kinder communication becomes more normal.
Here are a few things Rebecca learned on her way to become a grace-filled communicator:
- Focus on what you want in the long term (hopefully a better marriage!).
- Research better ways to communicate. You may not be able to rely on the example your parents gave you.
- Look at godly successful long-term marriages in the church and watch how these couples relate to each other.
- Read Christian literature about respectful communication.
“I did all of these things and they have helped me control my tongue and learn better ways of communicating. My husband now finds me a delight to live with. Praise the Lord!”