Corrupt versus Wholesome Communication

Corrupt versus Wholesome Communication Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4 v 29 The tongue or our speech can be the source of corruption or the source of encouragement for our whole being. We need to constantly check ourselves whether our communication is making things better or making things worse in any given situation. If it is making things better, then we are indeed using it for edification or to build. Our speech needs to be gracious like that of Jesus. We can use it to build the faith of others, to build hope in others, to build self esteem in others, to motivate others, to give guidance and friendly correction. Our little mouths can be used as the source of rivers of life-giving and life-enhancing water. At the same time, if we are not watchful, our tongues can spark a raging forest fire affecting many lives. The litmus test is to keep asking the question: is this communication of mine helpful or harmful, positive or negative, wholesome or corrupt, healthy or perverse? Over time as we run our speech through several such filters, our speech will begin to pour out distilled wisdom, truth and grace. When we insult others or respond to the insults of others in like manner, we are tearing down the image of God in which they are created. Our communication needs to be wholesome and appropriate to meet the needs of the hearers. Our conversations are a form of ministry or service in the kingdom of God. With our words, we can help people to see and experience the God whom their eyes cannot see or their hands cannot touch. When they believe, they find grace in the eyes of the Lord. With our speech, we can lead many to salvation and righteousness. While speaking to some students recently, I said that there are only three things needed for success in life and that is “ communication, communication and communication.” Indeed, there are three forms of communication- intrapersonal- what we say to ourselves all the time. This is called our self talk. Our self talk should be saturated with the Word of God. The second form of communication is our inter-personal communication. Our social skills and relationships are dependent on inter personal communication. Finally, our non verbal communication- namely, our tone, our facial expression and body language also impacts people significantly. Not only should our communication not be corrupt but it should be effective. Our conversation needs to be salted or flavoured with grace. Our words need to reflect our inner being or attitudes of faith, of forgiveness, of humility, of love, of hope. Indulging in gossip about others, judging others and criticising them behind their backs are examples of corrupt communication that displeases the Lord and grieves the indwelling Holy Spirit. Giving honest feedback to a person for his or her own good is wholesome or healthy communication. Remembering that the Lord is listening to every word we speak will teach us to be careful in the way we speak. Scripture says that we will be judged for every wrong word we use. Using foul language and cracking vulgar jokes is an instance of corrupt communication. Using our mouths to complain and murmur is another type of corrupt communication. It angers the Lord as a pranting child would irritate his parents. The Lord expects our mouths to be involved in a constant confession of our faith. We should use our tongues as a trumpet not to boast but to speak about the good things the Lord has done in our lives. Just as we count our days to render ourselves wise in the eyes of the Lord we need to count our words. Economy in speech often keeps us out of trouble and makes our words count for scripture says that “ where words abound, sin abounds.” Of course, all this is literally “easier said” than done unless the Lord, the Master of Communication, who gave us our amazing ability to communicate also gives us amazing grace to master and manage our communication so that we can make it go the way we want whenever we want. Like the Psalmist,we can ask the Lord to post a sentry. David asked for a sentry at the door of his lips. We can ask for the Holy Spirit at the door of our hearts as the mouth will speak what the heart is full of. We can also ask for the mind of Christ to process the thoughts. The mind of Christ will not allow the emotional part of our minds to dominate. It will not allow even the intellectual part of the mind to dominate. The spiritual wholesomeness of communication that is apt, necessary, useful, joyful and helpful will become the norm in our lives. Prateep V Philip