Why is A Rule for Communication significant?
The first reason having a rule for communication is significant is because it reinforces (Above the Line Thinking). By making a rule for communication you are building moral, ethical, and spiritual boundaries for yourself and others. If we know that no man can tame the tongue, and we are in a spiritual battle over the mind, then it behooves us to create these boundaries (rules) for our communication. The words we use are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble. Consequently, many of us know, or have experienced the pain of someone’s words. Or we ourselves have used our words to hurt someone else. Basically, our words can become a weapon, “ death, and life, on the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”- Proverbs 18:21. So, why are the words we use significant? Because our words either lift someone up or tear them down.
Is there anything more secretly delicious than gossip – idle talk and rumors about other’s intimate lives? What is conversation for, if not hush-hush chatter about other people? Don’t we feel better when we find out what’s wrong with others? Those that feed on this type of impulse give way to an amateur and wayward journalist who are less concerned with telling the truth than capturing an audience. This is our society to a "tee."
Yet, God knows we will be tempted on the daily; however, because he knows this, he also provides a way for us to escape these temptations.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (NIV, 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Clearly put, when we set boundaries or rules for communication, we begin to heighten our awareness of not only what we say, but how we say it. And we guard ourselves from depreciating one another and humanity as a whole.
What is A Rule for Communication?
It’s a boundary. It’s a standard. It’s a moral and ethical line in the sand. The very first rule is always ask what God says about a certain topic or situation, by studying his word and researching to gain understanding for wisdom. Second, beware of your thinking (Above the Line / Below the Line Thinking) by guarding your mind. Third, be purposeful to not partake in rumors and gossip, for I absolutely know that there is no power or personal growth in the depreciation of another.
“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” (KJV, Ephesians 4:29).
What’s at stake? God’s purpose and vision for you is at stake, which includes your relationships both personal and professional. According to the Huffington Post, 65 percent of all relationship breakups are because of communication breakdowns or misunderstandings. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the patterns of your words and make a rule for communication. How often do you share personal and confidential conversations about other people’s business?
How does your life reflect gossip, rumors, and idle talk? In this lesson we learn about the 24-hour rule and a whole lot more…
*Give yourself the gift of experiencing 52 Lessons in the My Agreements with Me for Believers workbook. Learn even more about the way you communicate and what the Bible says about it.