GOOD SPEECH
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September 1999
Communication, there are many kinds. 93% of our communication is body eye contact, among other types of actions. Seven percent is our speech. What is amazing, is how this 7% can really convey actions and reactions from people. It is in our everyday talk such as debates, discussions, arguments, sharing, and joking. What we say and how we say it, when we talk is what triggers the response from other we are communicating with.
Ephesians 4:29 tells us: "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."
It is truly amazing how powerful words can be. There is power in what we say to another person.
I'd like to use the military as an example here. There are many different situations in the Department of Defense. In all Military Boot Camps, also known as Basic Training, men and women experience a prime example of words in motion. It is in an environment such as Boot Camp, a person is timely cut by words. When we hear that the tongue can be sharp as a sword, this is a true saying; your whole being is attacked. Words are so powerful and when used harshly shatter a person. Why did I choose to use Boot Camp as an example? There are different levels in Boot Camp. First is the tear down phase. Second is the rebuilding and shaping phase. Third is the rewarding and confidence building phase.
In the body of Christ, as we talk to different brothers and sisters in Christ, we can be at different levels of speaking. The first is the tear down phase. We may not agree with someone, or even dislike a person for some silly reason. It is in this our words cut down, hurt, disappoint, and even turn away. In Basic the tear down phase is where the Drill Instructors totally deface your whole being, by cutting down, tearing down. They yell at you to the point where you become upset and it is a fire hot mad. They can see it in your eyes, face, your whole being. It is then they know their words have gotten you. They did this for two reasons. One: they wanted to see if you step out of line and break the Code of Conduct. Two: It was an avenue of correction.
When we speak of unfruitful words, we become ugly, harsh, and we cut people with our words. We become a bad example for Christ Jesus. What example have we set? Only to show how our hearts must really be. Jesus said out of our mouths the abundance of our hearts would come. If our hearts are not set on Christ and our minds not set on Christ, will our speech be any better? When our communication becomes full of anger, bitterness, malice, we give occasion to the enemy, who like Peter said is like a roaring lion seeking someone to consume. If he can creep in, believe me, he will! He'll be there to take advantage, to cause stress, contention, and destruction of fellowship as well as divisions in Christ. He desires to see us step out and break the Code of Conduct of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Second: The rebuilding and reshaping phase. This is the phase in Basic where the Drill Instructors begin to teach and train the recruits to be the best they can be. Giving them knowledge, tools, and the understanding. It is in this time where you begin to listen to the good information and don't worry about the silly meaningless words that do and mean nothing. It is important that we speak what is good. Our communication needs to be right, not full of foul and hurtful words because these words have no point in our communication. That's why if we're trying not to speak bad, foul, and unjustly, we do not practice it! We don't subject ourselves to those who don't want to speak good. Those who do not want to change, because it affects a person and wears on a person. It is impossible to have good communication that isn't foul.
If we give place to react to those who speak to us in a foul way by firing back at more slanderous words, we are doing what the enemy wants us to do. When Drill Instructors attacked a recruit verbally in Basic, the smart and good choice was not to react and to say nothing. But if you decide to say something rhetorical or sassed back, that only set the Drill Instructors off and they would proceed to make the recruits day. We'll let's just say it wasn't a happy one. It can be the same if we give place to the old man and let those ugly words fly out only causing us to step out of that Code of Christian Conduct.
Proverbs 15:1 tells us that, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." All we do is bring up mud to the surface when we sling dirt back at the one who is being a real horse's backside. The Lord desires it to be good and decent. If we jump off a dock without looking, Lord knows what we will hit. Proverbs 29:20 says the following: "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him." Jesus told us that Satan is the father of lies and that he comes to kill, steal, and destroy.
Third: This is the phase where the recruits are rewarded and confidence is instilled in them. They face challenges. They are tight with one another. There is unity, comradery, a real spirit of brotherhood. They speak in truth and are corrected in truth. The same goes in the family of Christ. We speak truth to help those who are hurt, lost, and messing up, not beating them down. Speaking good even in sharing and everyday fellowship. Jesus spoke truth. The truth either caused people to get right or they got upset because they couldn't see the truth or they didn't want to hear or accept the truth. Satan will still try and see if you'll carry out the mission in Christ or step out of line. That mission is to speak good conduct, speech that is edifying and full of grace to those who hear. The Psalmist gave this prayer for good speech in Psalm 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
Like the recruits, who are held accountable to higher standards, because to be rewarded they must be correct and true in what they do, and the confidence is given to them to do so. Our confidence is in Christ Jesus and He holds us accountable for what we say. Every word that comes from our mouth we are held accountable for. We need to speak in truth and what is right and brings honor and praise to our lord Jesus. We should detest any foul, ugly, and wicked words that come from our lips. The challenge is to have good communication with our brothers and sisters in Christ and show the world the example of Christ in our conduct and speech. Let's not be Drill Instructors. Instead we will be Christ Instructors, for good and edification, imparting grace to those who hear.
Praise God!!!
