|
HELEN SANDERS
7-15-2022
TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION
If you speak to any marriage counsellor, you will hear that one of the main causes for marriages to fail is communication. Many times, they did not communicate before they married to find out what each one expected of the other. Perhaps if they did, they might not have married, or at least they would know what they were getting themselves into. Then after marriage it is so important to be good communicators to avoid problems. But in order to communicate properly it isn’t all about speaking, it is also about listening.
It is a common thing to not be a good listener. Often, we are so quick to put in our thoughts into a conversation that we do not really hear what the other person is saying. We can’t wait to speak, and often interrupt.
Communication began with God. God spoke and the universe was created. His very words were the creative force that brought the world into existence. Words are very powerful. Then, when God created man, he spoke to them and gave them an assignment. They were to have dominion over the earth and the animals God made. He also spoke and told them what not to do. They listened, but they didn’t obey.
Satan also came along with communication. His communication put doubt on the words that God had said and caused Eve to listen to the wrong voice. In doing this, it brought about sin that cost them their “Garden of Eden.” After the fall of both Adam and Eve, they heard God’s voice telling them to leave the only home they had ever known. Oh, if they had just listened and obeyed. I am sure there were plenty of arguments in the nine hundred plus years they existed beyond the fall. I am sure there were plenty of “blame game” arguments.
Communication will either bring us peace or trouble. Listening is so important to God that he told John seven times in Revelation 2 and 3, “…he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith…” Seven times? Yes, the seven churches needed to be reminded to listen.
We must listen to avoid conflict. We must listen to each other to understand what someone is truly saying, and then think about what we will answer before we respond. Our motivation in communication should always be: Will it bring good, or will it bring harm? Will what I say hurt this person, or bring them health?
God wants to speak to each of us, but we must be willing to listen. He speaks by that still small voice of Holy Spirit who communicates to us in our spirits. He doesn’t shout, and he doesn’t force us to listen. Listening is a choice. Perhaps this is why God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we will do twice as much listening (with a desire to really hear) as we do speaking. I would have to say there would be a lot less problems if we did.
Missed an article by Helen? Click here to read more.
| 
