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God Observes the Communication we Have with One Another
By Ruby Ramsey
"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for all who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name." (Malachi 3:16)
"You number my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle; are they not in Your book?" (Psalm 56:8)
When I read the above verses, I was reminded of a time when I was a child. When I was young, the girls all had "autograph books"; and we asked all our friends to write little messages in them. I still have my book; and as I read it, I remember all my girlfriends from way back then and the things we did together.
There are many ways to communicate -- talking, body language, letters, notes, telephones, e-mails, fax machines, etc. In each of these areas, we should always think carefully before we communicate so that what we communicate is acceptable to God.
God's Word is the way He communicates with us. In it, we learn about Him and how He wants us to live. God looks down from heaven, sees all we do and hears all we say (and think). Are we conscious that God hears all we say? When I investigated the word communicate, I found out that it could mean reveal and/or share.
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it might impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)
"But do not forget to do good and share (communicate), for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:16)
"Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share (communicate)," (I Timothy 6:18)
"Let him who is taught the Word share (communicate) in all good things with him who teaches." (Galatians 6:6)
"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." (Colossians 4:6)
Our words should always be kind and loving. Many people do not get to hear kind words spoken to them. Sometimes I hear people speak, and I wonder if they realize God is listening to them. I wonder if they care how their unkind words affect others. Our words should always be kind to every individual with whom we communicate, no matter how they speak to us.
Speak kindly to everyone -- who knows if it might be the last opportunity you have to speak to him or her. Speak kindly for it lightens the cares of the downtrodden, encourages the weak, cheers the sad and lonely and brightens the day. Let us let every word we communicate be so sweet that God will want to put them in His book of remembrance.
Most of all, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). If our communications are not pleasing to God, our souls are in jeopardy!
Questions
#1 -- How does God communicate with us?
#2 -- What, in your opinion, is the best way to communicate with others?
#3 -- Have you ever received a card or letter that really brightened your day?
#4 -- Has someone ever spoken unkindly to you? How did you feel?
#5 -- What is the condition of the heart when a mouth speaks corruptly? (Give book, chapter & verse)
#6 -- Are we conscious of times when perhaps we have not been as kind as we should have been? Should we apologize for those actions, however slight?
#7 -- Is there ever a reason to be unkind?
#8 -- Do Christians have trouble communicating about Jesus to others? If so, why?
#9 -- When you weep, are you comforted knowing that God holds your tears in a bottle? (Ps. 56:8)
#10 -- How can we "season our speech with grace?"
#11 -- What harm comes if God does not approve of our communications?
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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