COMMUNICATING WELL

1. Speak clearly, distinctly, understandably. Enunciate, pronounce, and articulate your words clearly. Do not speak as though your mouth is full of food or marbles. Speak slowly enough. Accent your words properly. Emphasize key words. When needed, speak with feeling (1 Cor. 14:7-9).

2. Say what you mean: be genuine and sincere (James 5:12).

3. Speak openly (Matt. 15:32; Mk. 14:34).

4. Speak truthfully/honestly and in love (1 Pet. 4:11; Eph. 4:15, 25).

5. Be concise (to the point); don’t ramble on and on (Prov. 10:19).

6. Think about what you are going to say before you speak or open your mouth (Matt. 12:36; 15:11; Prov. 15:28; 29:20; James 1:19).

7. Know what you are talking about before you speak on a topic, with authority (James 3:1). Speak with confidence, boldness, or authority as the occasion necessitates (Acts 4:13, 31; 14:3; Titus 2:15).

8. Get the whole picture of the situation or issue before you comment on it (Prov 18:13).

9. Have self-control over your mouth/speech (James 3:2-4; Prov. 13:3).

10. Don’t be a hypocrite in your speaking (James 3:9-12).

11. Speak edifyingly, according to the need of the moment (Eph. 4:29).

12. Speak appropriately/fittingly/aptly (Prov. 15:23; 25:11, 12).

13. Don’t talk silly, like a little kid (Eph. 5:4).

14. Speak biblically (Eph. 5:19).

15. Be filled/controlled by the Holy Spirit before speaking (Eph. 5:18).

16. Speak gently and reverently for certain occasions (1 Pet. 3:15; 1 Tim. 5:1; 2 Tim. 2:25).

17. Speak harshly for other occasions (Titus 1:10-13; Matt. 15:1, 2, 7, 14; 23:13-35; Jn. 21:21, 22; 1 Tim. 1:18-20).

18. Make use of illustrations to convey your point more clearly (2 Sam. 12:1-9; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 2:19-22).

19. Refuse to indulge in foolish, ignorant speculations (2 Tim. 2:23).

20. Good character is important to good content of speech/speaking (Matt. 12:34, 35; Prov. 10:11, 20, 21, 31, 32; 16:13).

21. Don’t hog the whole conversation or speech; give others a chance to speak if the discussion is designed to be that way (1 Cor. 14:30).

22. Speak wisely (Prov. 21:23; 18:21; 15:1, 2, 4, 7; 25:15; 12:18).

23. Speak comfortingly when the occasion so fits (1 Thes. 4:18; 2 Cor. 1:3, 4).

24. Speak judgingly or confrontationally when the occasion so fits (Jn. 7:24; Gal. 2:11-14; 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 12, 13).

25. Refute, argue, reason, or explain things logically/orderly when the occasion necessitates (Titus 1:9-11; Acts 9:29; 11:4; 17:2, 3; 18:24, 28; 19:8, 9; 28:23).

26. Speak encouragingly when the occasion so necessitates (Heb. 3:13; 1 Thes. 2:10-12; 5:14).

27. Exhort (urge strongly) when the occasion so necessitates (Acts 2:40; Titus 2:15).