Today, for our Marriage Monday segment, I wanted to put up some questions for self-examination from Paul David Tripp’s excellent work on communication entitled War of Words. At the end of chapter 1, he gives the following questions which should help you see you aren’t a perfect communicator and will place you at the mercy of the Gospel:
Below are some of the fruits of godly talk (see Gal. 5:22-23). Evaluate yourself…
1) Does your talk with others lead to Biblical problem solving?
2) Does your talk have a “stand together” or a “me against him/her/them” posture?
3) Do your words encourage others to be open and honest about their thoughts and feelings?
4) Are you approachable and teachable or defensive and self-protective when talking with others?
5) Is your communication healthy in the principal relationships in your life?
• parent/child
• husband/wife
• extended family
• sibling relationships
• employer/employee
• friend/friend
• body of Christ
• neighbor/neighbor
6) Does your talk encourage faith and personal spiritual growth in those around you?
7) Do you talk with others to develop relationships with them, or do you only talk to solve problems during times of trouble?
8) Do you speak humble and honest words of confession when you sin and words of sincere forgiveness when others sin against you?
9) Do your words reflect a willingness to serve others or a demand that they serve you?
10) As you face struggles of talk, do you do so with a recognition of the gospel—God’s forgiveness, His enabling grace, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit?
Communicate to the glory of God by finding mercy in the Gospel.