Communication Galatians 2:2 I. Introduction. A. Communication comes in many forms: looks, actions, movements, facial expressions, clothes, standard of living, etc. 1. These and many other behaviors say something about us and to others. 2. Communication can be misread: the individual strives to be understood--but can be misread. a. One can be prejudiced who listens or sees. b. Background may influence. 3. A way of assisting: Philippians 4:15. B. The greatest gift of communication is language: spoken or written. 1. All of God's creation was given some form of communication. 2. Man is unique: only he has the power of speech(some birds can imitate--it is not speech!) 3. Wisely used, it brings much happiness; foolishly used, it brings misery and heartaches.(It is difficult to forget!) 4. Paul communicated: Galatians 2:2(KJV). II. Body. A. In the beginning mankind had only one language: Genesis 11:1. 1. People who speak same language tend to stick together. 2. Can be good--or--bad. a. Dependent upon purpose; on one occasion they thwarted the Lord's instruction to replenish the earth. b. Jehovah created different languages and opened up exploration and habitation of the earth. 3. Christian have a common language: the words of the New Testament(regardless of one's native tongue). a. Promotes unity and understanding. b. Confusion and division result when begin to speak like the world and/or the denominations. c. "Speak where the Bible speaks; be silent where it is silent." d. Note: I Corinthians 1:10. B. A person can be identified by one's speech: Matthew 26:73. 1. Paul was: II Corinthians 11:6. a. Not a great orator, apparently. b. He spoke plainly in language folks could understand. 2. Moses was: Exodus 4:10. 3. The worldly speak worldly language. 4. The child of God: I Peter 4:11. 5. Departure is detected early when one begins to speak a language foreign to the New Testament. 6. Mixing the speech of Christians with speech of denominations brings confusion: An Old Testament example: Nehemiah 13:24. C. Christians are to use "sound speech." 1. Words and ideas are to reflect the language of the early church. a. Easy to fall into the traps of the denominations (change our speech). b. A healthy speech: Titus 2:1, 8. c. Consider expression of the past: "Call Bible things by Bible words." 2. When one uses Bible terms to express Bible ideas, one: Titus 2:15. a. Enables one to speak boldly: Ephesians 6:20. b. Comment on John 8:43. c. Note: I Corinthians 2:1, 4-5. D. Christians do not communicate with the language of the worldly. 1. Easy to be influenced by associates, media, books, etc.--to speak as those who do not respect the Law of Christ. 2. Note how Paul said it: Colossians 4:6. 3. Take time to think before speaking: James 1:19. 4. Cursing, lying, etc. do communicate the lack of spiritual training: modern media often influences. 5. Communicate to your children the role of language and the need for a righteous tongue: I Peter 3:10. 6. So speak and teach in such a manner that no one can doubt--he/she is a Christian: always communicate the truth in speech and behavior. III. Conclusion. A. Speech is a reflection of one's thinking and one's life. B. Always communicate righteousness in our daily lives.-jy