Hurtful words & actions cut to the core of our being

_{Communication is a fine art that the bible has much to say about. Likely we have all been both on the giving and receiving end of hurtful words and actions. I know I have. Sometimes the most hurtful communication is none or avoidance.}

_{Perhaps we bare guilt for things we have done in our past. Perhaps we feel pain for things done to us. I have found that both can be crippling to the point of rendering us of little use. Sometimes we say things that are not intended to be hurtful, but are taken out of context by someone experiencing pain that we are unaware of. Again many of us have likely been on both ends of that as I have.}

_{Communication in our generation has only become more complex with the use of texting. Statistics show that communication is mostly nonverbal (body language). Since my wife is unfortunate to have impaired vision, an extra onus is put on verbal communication in our house. This for me as a man is hard since typically men are not masters at verbal communication. Since my wife cannot see many of my expressions I need to communicate my feelings verbally. That makes sense to speak right, but remember most communication is via body language. So similarly when we are texting completely blind to the other party, we are only using words, there is no reading body language and re wording something. Its a tricky thing to communicate well by text and not to be hurtful or be hurt.}

_{God’s word gives the following direction on communication.}

_{Matthew 15:11 (NIV)}

_{What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”}

_{Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV)}

_{Do not be quick with your mouth (NLT says Don't make rash promises), do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.}

_{Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)}

_{A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.}

_{Colossians 4:6 (NIV)}

_{Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.}

_{Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)}

_{Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.}

_{Luke 6:36-37 (NIV)}

_{Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  Judging Others  “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.}

 Following is a link to a good sermon;

^{How To Communicate Well with Others}