Memorize and meditate on these scriptures and scriptural principles to improve your interpersonal communication!
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. Ecclesiastes 10:10
- Be a good listener. Seek first to understand then be understood (Stephen Covey). (He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. Proverbs 18:13) (A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Proverbs 18:2)
- Believe the best rather than assuming the worst. (Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7)
- If you don’t understand, ask for clarification. (Good understanding produces favor. Proverbs 13:15)
- Respond Gently. (A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1)
- Control your anger. (A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. Proverbs 29:11 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20; It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. Proverbs 20:3)
- Choose not to react with negative facial expressions or comments. (Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:16)
- Don’t be sarcastic. (Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows, so is a person who deceives his neighbor, and says, ‘Was I not only joking?’” Proverbs 26:18-19.)
- Speak the truth in love and protect the honor of others. (Ephesians 4:15; The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18)
- Learn how to communicate gently and without bombastic statements (ie, “you always, you never…) (The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Proverbs 16:21 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Proverbs 25:15)
- Say what you mean and mean what you say. (Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37)
- Remember the golden rule according to Jesus: Do unto others as you would have them do to you… (Luke 6:31)
- Receive correction gladly and with humility. (Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1; If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Proverbs 15:32)
- Get counsel and advice when you can’t work it out on your own. (A wise man seeks counsel. Proverbs 12:15; In an abundance of counselors there is victory. Proverbs 15:22)
- Being “right” or forcing someone to agree with you is not worth losing the relationship. (A friend loves at all times… Proverbs 17:17)
- Keep it confidential. (Gossip separates the best of friends. Proverbs 16:28; Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9)
- Forgive. (Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32)