How To Communicate With Your Spouse

LET’S START COMMUNICATING

It’s important to realize that there is a difference between talking and communicating. A person who’s a good talker isn’t automatically a good communicator. Communication skills aren’t something we’re born with. We havehttps://joemcgeeministries.com/wp-admin/edit.php to learn those skills and then continue to grow and develop in them.

COMMUNICATION TIPS

Think before you speak. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19 KJV). In Proverbs 15:28 it talks about “studying” or “pondering” before giving an answer. The New Living Translation says it this way, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.”
Speak softly. Yelling and speaking harsh words won’t solve issues. Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) says, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”
Avoid offensive words.“If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2 KJV). Don’t allow yourself to fall into a habit of communicating with sarcasm, non-constructive criticism, cutting remarks, and ridiculing others.

DEVELOPING CONVERSATION SKILLS

1. When you don’t know where to begin, look for common ground.

2. Don’t do all the talking. Make sure to have pause points that allow the other person to interject comments.

3. Avoid rhetorical questions. If you don’t want a sarcastic answer, don’t ask a sarcastic question.

4. Be a good listener. Good listeners do not interrupt when others are speaking. They do not space out. They keep their eyes on the person speaking. They respond to the feelings of the speaker. Their body language and facial expressions show that they are fully attentive and engaged in the conversation.

5. Comment on what’s being said. The steps to keeping the “conversation wheel” rolling are to ask, listen, and comment.

THE TAKE AWAY

Use God’s Word as a guide for communicating with your spouse. Start by reading Proverbs and highlighting the scriptures about the mouth. It’s a course on communication!