In people’s daily lives, communication is crucial since this daily action underlies all human contact and is considered one of the most prevalent. It is a tremendously complicated human phenomenon that permeates every part of who a person is and what he does. God gave people the gift of language, which enables us to build cultures and relationships with others (Martin, 2019). In addition to being all-encompassing, communication is also complicated. It is not an automatic phenomenon where various independent elements come together to produce a single, predictable outcome on a regular (Momeny & Gourgues, 2019). People define, mold, alter, and even mirror the realities of the civilizations around through communication. In terms of communication, the integration of faith and learning should address pedagogy, content, and how a person’s teachings affect how they think, feel, and behave in the world.
The biblical communication traits are imperatives or descriptions that show what God desires for his people. Even if these characteristics and attributes are clear for godly fellowship, the people must be constantly reminded that they can only achieve this with changed hearts, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and via the Word of God (Mălureanu, 2018). It is critical to realize that these are characteristics of development and maturity. The best interpersonal connections will be achieved on the merits and rarely without imperfections, but ultimately a person must live according to what God desires from interpersonal relationships (Medel & Ferguson, 2018). God gave humanity the gift of language, which enables people to build relationships with one another and establish cultures. The fundamentals of good biblical communication can have a positive impact on others and influence them to uphold God’s ideals.
A crucial aspect of effective biblical communication is to listen before speaking. This principle is compounded by two aspects. First of all, listening to the council and advice of others. As it was mentioned in the Bible, “He will be at home among the wise if he pays attention to reproof that brings life” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 15:31). “Pay attention to what the wise have to say and focus on what I am teaching since it is nice to retain their advice in the heart and have it all ready to convey” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 22:17, 18). One of the good ways to become successful that many people overlook is listening to counsel. So frequently, when someone is having a hard time, they are on the verge of making significant progress (Martin, 2019). They are only a few inches away from realizing their ambitions. Their achievement would be fantastic and unquestionable if they would simply open their eyes to the blind spot and view what they are doing in a slightly different or fresh way.
The second aspect of this principle is to listen carefully before responding. This was numerously exposed in the scriptures – “He is ignorant and dishonorable if he speaks before listening” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 18:13). “Do you notice somebody speaking quickly? A fool has more hope than he does” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 29:20). Everyone should talk gently and listen carefully (English Standard Version Bible, James 1:19). A question has numerous levels, and the fact that it is truly more than one inquiry is frequently revealed by attentively listening to it. One may tell what the other persons are recommending and what they are not if they pay close attention and wait for them to finish. The individual can then verify those presumptions before responding. When events proceed in accordance with this concept and at this rate, the question frequently becomes clear. This principle is particularly valuable in many contexts. In the case of counseling, for instance, it is impossible to help a patient without careful listening to the situation. The ability to listen lies at the heart of any conversation.
The second principle is not talking too much. In this regard, Proverbs illustrates it in a concrete manner – “Sin is there even when there are numerous words spoken, yet a wise person controls their mouth” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 10:19). “Even a fool is thought intelligent if he keeps quiet and cunning if he controls his tongue” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 17:28). The issue with excessive speech is that it prevents the other person from speaking. They become disinterested in the talk as a result. Talking to someone is a two-way street, where speaking and listening need to be balanced carefully (Momeny & Gourgues, 2019). While occasional scale tilts are acceptable, it’s typically a good idea to keep things balanced. Talking excessively is another indication of immaturity and a lack of emotional intelligence (Martin, 2019). A person can only develop relationships and learn more about individuals if he listens to them. And eventually, doing that is what will advance a person in life and make him happier. This biblical method is particularly important for teaching or preaching. In preaching, upholding this principle will bring clarity to the sermons, which will attract more listeners. It is more beneficial not to disperse thoughts but rather to present them in a timely and concrete manner.
The third principle is to say what people need to hear. This means not talking about what they want to hear but what they actually need to know. Better outspoken criticism than covert affection. As scriptures remind the people, “You might believe in a friend’s wounds, but the adversary multiplies kisses” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 27:5). “Whoever corrects a jester insult himself, and whoever chastises a wicked person insults himself. Reprimand a fool, and he will despise you; reprimand an intelligent man, and he will love you” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 9:7). People want to hear comforting lies, but in the end, these lies wind up destroying them. Critique can be beneficial and ought to be appreciated, especially if it comes from those who are close to a person. When the listener gains from the words, it is beneficial. But when our words are ineffective or spread lies that are only said because the listener wants to hear them, it can be destructive to us (Venter, 2019). There are situations when one is needed to be reassured, pacified, inspired, and commended. However, there are instances when it is necessary to confront people with the uncomfortable truth. This principle is crucial for different contexts, but most importantly for counseling. The problem will not go away if patients hear only what they want; it is necessary to meet the truth, whether it is comfortable or not.
The fourth important biblical communication principle is that a person should account to God for their words. According to what the Bible says, “However, I assure you that people will be required to account for every thoughtless word they have said on the day of judgment” (English Standard Version Bible, Matthew 12:36). “As a result, God will demand an accounting from each of us. Stop judging one another, then” (English Standard Version Bible, Romans 14:12). In order to be sure that a person’s words are acceptable to God and that this person does not have to answer for thoughtless speech, a person should pray for God’s knowledge, power, and guidance. In a preaching context, this is the case to be applied every time since the preacher is the committer of God’s words on Earth. Accounting to God will bring the preacher closer to successfully doing his task and, as a result, will be beneficial for his particular congregation.
Another crucial principle is to control anger. The scriptures made multiple references to this – “A fool never controls his anger, but a smart man does” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 29:11). “A man has an obligation to avoid conflict, but fools fight easily” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 20:3). Anger is much more likely to negatively affect a person’s reputation, cloud his judgment, and prevent him from succeeding (Fasol, 2019). Serious repercussions can result from uncontrollable or recurrent anger. Chronic anger consumes a great deal of mental effort and distorts thoughts, making it challenging to concentrate or enjoy life (Serrano, 2022). Stress, depression, and other mental health problems might result from it as well. Anger can interfere with friendships and professional relationships as well as inflict lasting wounds on people. Explosive rage is particularly destructive to children and makes it difficult for others to trust, speak openly, or feel comfortable. In a number of contexts, whether it is a conversation with a friend or teaching, it is imperative not to lose control. Anger can ruin a relationship in every context.
The sixth principle of biblical communication to consider is to keep the conversations confidential. This became of the biblical imperatives, numerously mentioned – “Best friends are separated by gossip” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 16:28). “The person who keeps a grudge hidden finds love, whereas the person who repeats something drives friends apart” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 17:9). Most people do not understand the fact that gossip hurts more than just the person who is the target of it. They harm both themselves and other people. Because gossip is antagonistic by nature, it ruins relationships and causes division among individuals (Martin, 2019). The goal of gossip is to make someone feel bad about themselves and damage their self-esteem. People may start to have mental health issues in this state. Every minute people spend gossiping is a minute one could be helping a friend or doing something nice for someone else. The Bible opposes and condemns gossip. When someone provides embarrassing personal information that is neither detrimental to them personally nor sinful, the person must also prove their dependability by keeping secrecy (Fasol, 2019). Confidentiality is particularly important in the counseling context and is usually upheld in many institutions. In this case, it is also protected by law in most countries. The ability to hold the issue confidential will raise trust in the person and will result in a long-lasting relationship.
Another important biblical communication principle is to forgive. This is one of the key Christian principles – “As God pardoned you in Christ, be kind and sympathetic to one another and forgive one another” (English Standard Version Bible, Ephesians 4:32). Forgiving someone who has wronged a person can result in feelings of compassion, empathy, and understanding. Soul peace is brought about by forgiveness. Additionally, forgiveness releases the ties that negatively connect him to the forgiven party (Momeny & Gourgues, 2019). Since negative emotions sap vitality and harm the body, mind, and spirit, this is beneficial to health. One can start to put the past behind once a person is emotionally and psychologically free since forgiving someone is a compassionate and merciful gesture. Forgiveness is crucial in the teaching context since it allows the continuation of the development rather than focusing on the negative moments. While the teacher can mock his student for mistakes, it will be more beneficial to forgive him and engage in more practice to correct the mistakes and flaws in the learning process.
The eighth principle of biblical communication is enshrined in the guiding principle of communication. Jesus Christ stressed this, and history has reaffirmed it numerous times – “Act in a way that you would like others to act toward you” (English Standard Version Bible, Luke 6:31). Everyone must follow this rule and treat people how they want to be treated. This rule should serve as a constant reminder to you or someone else to always treat others with respect (Momeny & Gourgues, 2019). Because it refers to everyone, regardless of who they are or where they are from, it is used so frequently. There are no exceptions or gray areas when it comes to treating people fairly and the way you want to be treated. This principle is crucial in any context, whether it is counseling or teaching. Even in simple small talk, it is important to stick to it since it allows a person to build positive energy.
Another essential rule is to think optimistically rather than pessimistically. A person automatically assumes that someone is attempting to harm them whenever something goes wrong. They waste time seeking to blame someone, often shunning those who are best suited to support them through the process rather than attempting to deal with a bad situation constructively. When people assume the worst, they take a terrible situation and make it worse rather than taking steps to make it better. “Love survives all things, never gives up, never loses faith, and is always full of hope” (English Standard Version Bible, 1 Corinthians, 13:7). This makes one think of the crucial idea that if one always assumes the best in people, the situation will end well. This rule is highly applicable in the counseling context since sometimes people are deeply entrenched in their negative thoughts. This principle can assist in overcoming the growing despair and lead to a positive environment in communication. When a patient thinks optimistically, there are more chances that the situation can be solved, while the counselor can assist in positive thinking.
The last principle of biblical communication that should be emphasized is to respond gently in any situation. As Proverbs mentions, “A gentle response defuses anger, whereas a harsh remark fuels it” (English Standard Version Bible, Proverbs 15:1). Because it enables people to fully explore their potential, be creative, do their best work, and cooperate well with others, gentleness is crucial in life. It is a behavior that enables to connect with one another politely and occasionally accomplish things that were previously thought to be difficult, regardless of how different people are, right or wrong, successful or unsuccessful. In contrast, the emotional reaction in people when they are being unkind, critical, or judgmental causes tension and fear and can end the potential for a good relationship with each other, making compromise less probable. It often makes communication difficult. Gentleness is an integral part of any communication in any context but is extremely important in teaching (James, 2018). A gentle reply sometimes can deescalate the situation and turn it into a fruitful debate with a positive outcome for every side. A gentle teacher, for example, will be received better by students, rather than an angry and harsh one.
Overall, the art of communication is getting thoughts and attitudes over to another person. Having something in common to share facilitates communication. Since the Bible is divine communication expressed in human language, communication is an essential component of it (Henson, 2021). This is described in the Bible as a continual and unceasing process and is a basic requirement for everyone. The word of God and the prophets both allude to the divine fellowship of God existing eternally. The Prophets themselves are acknowledged as God’s messengers and are taken to be a channel of connection.
Giving praise for good work or noticing a coworker who is unwell are two specific examples of meaningful communicative conduct that convey a lot. You can witness to others by incorporating the biblical precepts of faith into friendship. Throughout the history of the Church, there has always been a risk of compromising and rejecting the authority of God’s Word over all life, but this risk is now even greater (Mălureanu, 2018). Humanity has to understand the communication norms of God’s creation in order to communicate meaningfully and successfully. The normative understanding of communication’s role and purpose in human society should also be based on biblical communication principles.
References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. Web.
Fasol, A. (2019). Essentials for Biblical preaching: An introduction to basic sermon preparation. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Henson, J. D. (Ed.). (2021). Biblical Organizational Leadership: Principles from the Life of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Springer Nature.
James, J. (2018). Counsel with confidence: A quick reference guide for Biblical counselors and disciplers. Shepherd Press.
Mălureanu, A. (2018). Biblical Perspective of Communication and Communion. The Responsibility of the Word for the Relationship between Human Being and God. Teologia, 74(1), 57-70.
Martin, C. (2019). Ten Commandments of Teaching: A Culminating Education Project. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning for Christians in Higher Education, 9(1), 7.
Medel, I. L., & Ferguson, D. (2018). The Apostle Paul and the Early Practice of Public Relations. Journal of Communication & Religion, 41(3), 41-49.
Momeny, L. S., & Gourgues, M. (2019). Communication that develops: Clarity of process on transformational leadership through a study of effective communication of emotional intelligence. Christian Education Journal, 16(2), 226-240.
Serrano, C. A. (2022). Biblical Organizational Spirituality: A Meta-Analysis. In Biblical Organizational Spirituality (pp. 481-488). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Venter, E. (2019). Challenges for meaningful interpersonal communication in a digital era. HTS: Theological Studies, 75(1), 1-6.