Hey guys,
This week's sermon is about a special topic, about the proper way of communicating. How we speak reflects on who we are. Does our speech reflect christ? Or are we no different than others?
We start of with a verse to tell us the importance of good communication skills.
ESV: James 3:5. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire
Great analogy made here in my opinion. And it's true, the tongue is capable of great impact, both in good ways and bad ways. Hence it is extremely important that we watch what we say and be extremely careful about the words we use. The Bible of course acknowledges this, and tells us some of the traits of good communication.
Our words should be constructive. 言语要造就人。
ESV: James 3:10. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
ESV: Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear
I think these verses are quite straight forward, saying that our words should not be curses but blessings, and words that build up and help the ones who receive these words.
Our words should be filled with grace. 言语要带着和气。
ESV: Colossians 4:6. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Sometimes when we talk we speak the truth, but we say in ways that still hurt the other person. Colossians tells us that our words should be fill with grace. Being gracious points to being courteous and kind. The verse compares this grace to salt, telling us that like salt, grace in speech should be moderated like seasoning food with salt. Too much or too little just won't do. You might be wondering how can one be too gracious? Depends on the person. Some need more grace, while others don't like cheesiness.
Our words should be truthful. 言语要真实。
NIV: Matthew 5:37. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Now this verse tells us to say the truth (obviously). But note that it doesn't mean that all we can say is Yes and No. It means that we should tell what we know to be true and nothing else. Now I'm sure some of us heard of the chinese saying that goes: "谣言止于智者" literally meaning "Rumours stop at the wise". Basically it means that wise people don't spread rumours.
NIV: Matthew 23:36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken
When the verse mentions "empty word" it refers to words that have no substance; no hard facts or truths to back it up. Like rumours. In other versions like NLT or ESV the words used are careless words and idle words. This just shows us how unsubstantiated words will be taken in account during Judgement day.
Ours words should be timely. 语言要合时。
NIV: Proverbs 15:23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
A lot of times the impact of or words is really dependant on the timing of our words. For example announcing the FYL christmas event 2 years ago would have way less impact and usefulness compared to announcing it 2 months before the event. Saying "I love you" like its roadside freebies would have way less meaning than a "I love you" during a proposal or any important moments of that sort. Timing is important.
Having said so much, the whole thing is repeated in chinese below, in simplified form.
少说抱怨的话 多说宽容的话
少说讽刺的话 多说尊重的话
少说拒绝的话 多说关怀的话
少说命令的话 多说商量的话
少说批评的话 多说鼓励的话
一句不小心的话，可能引起争端。
一句残忍的话，可能毁坏人的一生。
一句苦毒的话，可能产生仇恨。
一句野蛮的话，可能是致命的打击。
一句恩慈的话，可能使崎岖化为平坦。
一句喜乐的话，可能使暗路化为光明。
一句安慰的话，可能使伤心者停止流泪。
一句合宜的话，可能使紧张化为轻松。
一句鼓励的话，可能使灰心失志重振气。
一句爱心的话，可能使创伤的心得医治。
Okay maybe not so simple. But good nonetheless.
ESV: Isaiah 50:4. The Lord GOD has given methe tongue of those who are taught,that I may know how to sustain with a wordhim who is weary.Morning by morning he awakens;he awakens my earto hear as those who are taught.
May this be our prayer to God, so that we may learn to be better speakers ans listeners for christ.
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