Ashley Thaba. 

My husband and I were invited to be guest on a radio show yesterday to discuss the importance of communication in marriage.

 As we hashed out the topic, it was apparent that the ability to communicate effectively literally affects every single part of your life, whether you are married or single! 

On our TV show in the episode titled “Communication,” we discuss tips on how to communicate more effectively in marriage and in life in general, but for today’s column I thought we would discuss deeper on what the Bible says about this topic. 

Does God’s word offer guidance on how to communicate more effectively? I believe it does.

 I want to give you some scriptures you can really think about and pray over. Perhaps write them down and ask God to remind them of you over the coming week in order to improve your communication skills. 

 

An Honest Communicator

Effective communication is HONEST.

 2 Corinthians 1:17-20 makes it clear that if the Spirit of Christ lives in us then our word should be trustworthy just as God’s word is trustworthy. A huge cause of communication problems comes as a result of saying things you don’t mean. 

Ask God to reveal to you this week when you are not speaking truth. Whether that is something as small as “I will call you back” when you know you just want to get off the phone. Or “I am on the way” when you know you haven’t even bathed yet. Or “I promise I will do it” to your spouse about that issues she keeps nagging about and you just want her off your back. 

A good communicator is an honest communicator.

 You will find much more peace around you when your word carries some weight and respect because people can trust you. 

 

Communication Is Listening

Effective communication involves LISTENING. James 1:19 says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” 

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” Proverbs 17:28

These are just a few verses that show an intelligent person understands that it is very important to listen to others. 

No one knows everything; when we are so quick to speak we end up looking foolish and start unnecessary fights. 

One of the things my husband and I talk about in the communication episode of Talking with the Thabas is that sometimes things that have made us so mad are actually quickly diffused when we give the other person time to explain themselves before starting to yell and get angry.

 

Positive

Effective communication focuses on the POSITIVE. 

Proverbs 16:24: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Philippians 4:8: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

When we think and speak positive and pleasant words, we are a blessing to those around us. When our words are full of complaints and negative gossip, we don’t lift others up but rather tear them down. It is not easy to speak positively but when you are conscience about training your mind to think positively, then out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 

Begin training your mind to think about that which is praiseworthy and you will find it much easier to speak about issues which are praiseworthy. 

However, if you are constantly thinking negative thoughts, your words are going to be full of those same negative thoughts and you will end up communicating bitterness and negativity to those around you.

Those are three practical tips on communication we get from the Bible. Ask God this week to convict you when your speech isn’t honorable. 

Ask God to help lead you to use your words to bless those around you and edify others. Ask God for wisdom to know when to talk and when to listen. 

We hope you will download the episode on communication off our website (www.ashleythaba.com) so you can learn many more communication tips. 

My husband and I try and be as honest as possible as people are asking us real questions so we can really dive into the practical issues that affect each one of us every day when trying to improve our communication skills to live in more peace and harmony. 

The great thing about this particular episode is it doesn’t matter if you are married or not, learning how to communicate effectively will have a positive impact on literally every single part of your life. 

For more practical tips which are guaranteed to enhance your relationship with your partner, our marriage book is available in e-copy on our website, www.ashleythaba.com . We have written it because we believe strong relationships make for strong people. 

When you are in love and feel secure and happy in your relationship, we believe you will be a happier more productive member of society in general. We hope you can download the book and begin to grow today.

Ashley Thaba is a popular motivational speaker, author and the Producer of a hit TV show offering practical advice to strengthen families and improve marriages! Episodes of her show can be downloaded from her website – www.ashleythaba.com.You can view some of her work on her YouTube channel: Ashley Thaba. 

You can buy three of her books, Dive In, Making Marriages Fun, and Conquering the Giants, on her website. You can email her at askthaba@gmail.com or follow her on Facebook at: Talking with the Thabas.