How we communicate is so, so important. Did you know that 70-93% of our communication is non-verbal? We can try to hide what’s going on inside of ourselves, how we feel about someone, or the fact that we’re just having a bad day, but chances are extremely high that it’s going to come out in our non-verbals. What we’re not saying can easily speak louder than what we are saying. I think tone is one of, if not the loudest, non-verbals in our arsenal. Take this sentence…
I did not tell John you were late.
What happens when you put the emphasis on a different word each time you speak the sentence? It completely changes the meaning every time.
Now this doesn’t mean that the remaining 7% of verbal communication isn’t important. What we say combined with how we say it makes for some powerful speech.
With God being the author and source of communication, He has so much wisdom in the way we communicate. He loves and values us deeply, so that guide post alone is a great motivator. Some of my favorite guide post verses…
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29
When our thoughts are bent toward good and excellent things versus hate, judgement, etc, then what seeps out of our mouth and body language tends to be full of love and grace.
