Having Effective Communication In Relationships
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesMost of us know that good communication skills are essential in order to experience a happy marriage relationship, or any other kind of personal relationship.
There’s a formula that the famous poet Ogden Nash once wrote that hopefully will help us remember how to communicate more effectively.
Mr. Nash wrote:
“If you want your marriage to sizzle
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up!” (source).
Folks, not only is there great wisdom in that four-liner, there’s also a great truth that is supported by Scripture.
Let’s look at these two simple guidelines, courtesy of Mr. Nash:
1) If we are wrong in our decision making, or the choices that we make, we need to admit it up front. Not only marriage, but all relationships benefit from this kind of honesty (Proverbs 12:22; cf. Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:21; Philippians 4:8; 1 Peter 2:12). Protecting ourselves when we’re wrong makes any kind of resolution impossible.
2) On the other hand, we can be equally hard to live with if we insist that we’re always right — the idea that everything done should be done “my way, or it’s the highway.“
We need not be afraid to admit that we are simply a fallible human being — capable of making mistakes — and sometimes, serious mistakes.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4, that “[Love] does not parade itself, is not puffed up.”
No one likes to be around someone who always seems to be patting himself on the back.
Let’s be willing to incorporate these two simple guidelines into our everyday living:
1) Admit wrong and 2) keep quiet about being right (Luke 15:18,21); Proverbs 17:28; cf. Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 11:12; Proverbs 13:3).
Folks, it’s just a common sense way of keeping our relationships strong — both with our fellowman and with our God.