30 Ways to Effectively Communicate
Many thanks to my contributing writers who has made it possible for me to write this quick overview of how wicked our tongues are and how it can control and destroy us if we allow it to. Keep in touch with us, “Problem Solvers University” for upcoming speaking engagements.
# 1 - The Lying Tongue
The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful. (Proverbs 12:22)
Affirmation:
“My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse” (Proverbs 8:7-8)
# 2 - The Flattering Tongue
The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful. (Proverbs 12:22)
Affirmation:
“My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse” (Proverbs 8:7-8)
# 3 - The Manipulating Tongue
Then Delilah pouted, “How can you say you love me when you don’t confide in me? You’ve made fun of me three times now, and you still haven’t told me what makes you so strong!” (Judges 16:15)
Affirmation:
Because I am in right standing with God, He surrounds me with favor. Therefore, I have no need to manipulate anyone for personal gain or advantage.
# 4 - The Hasty Tongue
Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 29:20)
Affirmation:
I am swift to hear and slow to speak. The Lord has set a guard over my mouth and He keeps watch over the door of my lips.
# 5 - The Devisive Tongue
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
Affirmation:
I will make every effort to speak words that engender peace and to refrain from any communication that creates disunity.
# 6 - The Argumentative Tongue
Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. (Proverbs 20:3)
Affirmation:
I will resist becoming contentious by respecting everyone’s right to have his own values and views.
The Boasting Tongue
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)
Affirmation:
“By the grace of God, I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
The Self Deprecating Tongue
Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)
Affirmation:
God is able to make all grace abound toward me; so that I always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
The Slandering Tongue
To hide hatred is to be a liar; to slander is to be a fool. (Proverbs 10:18)
Affirmation:
I refuse to be a slanderer. I will use Philippians 4:8 as my conversation sifter. Therefore, whenever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy about someone, I comment only on these things.
The Gossiping Tongue
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s innermost parts. (Proverbs 18:8)
Affirmation:
I am not a busybody in other people’s matters. Therefore, I do not yield my tongue as an instrument of gossip.
The Meddling Tongue
Some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people’s business. (2 Thessalonians 3:11)
Affirmation:
I am genuinely interested in others and only seek information from them that will allow me to serve, love, and support them better.
The Betraying Tongue
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. (Proverbs 11:13)
Affirmation:
I am a trustworthy person and can be depended upon to keep a confidence.
The Belittling Tongue
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)
Affirmation:
No unwholesome talk comes out of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
The Cynical Tongue
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (Psalm 1:1)
Affirmation:
I am blessed because I do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly nor stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of the scornful.
The Know it All Tongue
A prudent man conceals knowledge. (Proverbs 12:23)
Affirmation:
I am prudent and therefore I do not flaunt my knowledge.
The Harsh Tongue
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
Affirmation:
I open my mouth with wisdom. The law of kindness is on my tongue.
The Tactless Tongue
Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. (Colossian 4:6)
Affirmation:
My words are seasoned with grace as I speak the truth in love.
The Intimidating Tongue
The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” (1 Samuel 17:44)
Affirmation:
Because God is in control of every aspect of my life and has set my destiny, I have no need to control the behavior of others.
The Rude Tongue
There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It’s for God’s people exclusively. (Isaiah 35:8)
Affirmation:
I will slow down and take the time to do unto others as I would have them do unto me.
The Judgmental Tongue
Do not judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. (Matthew 7:1-2)
Affirmation:
I do not judge others or I too will be judged. For in the same way That I judge, I will be judged.
The Self Absorbed Tongue
Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Affirmation:
I look not only to my own interests, but to the interest of others. Therefore, my issues are not the primary topic of my conversation.
The Cursing Tongue
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be so. (James 3:10)
Affirmation:
Cursing does not proceed out of my mouth. Today I give God full charge of my tongue. By His grace I will only speak words that will bring honor to His name.
The Complaining Tongue
cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I make supplication with my voice to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. (Psalm 142:1-2)
Affirmation:
Because God works all things together for my good, according to His purpose for my life, I will not complain.
The Retaliating Tongue
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and He will bless you for it. (1 Peter 3:9)
Affirmation:
I will not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this I have been called so that I may inherit a blessing.
The Accusing Tongue
The accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. (Revelation 12:10)
Affirmation:
With God’s help, today I will tune my ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding. I will cry out for insight and understanding. I will search for them as I would for lost money or hidden treasure.
The Discouraging Tongue
When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. (Job 29:24)
Affirmation:
Worry weighs a person down; but my encouraging words will cheer him up.
The Doubting Tongue
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. (Mark 11:23)
Affirmation:
Anything is possible for me if I believe. Therefore, I will declare my faith rather than discuss my doubts.
The Loquacious Tongue
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)
Affirmation:
When my words are many, sin is not absent, but when I hold my tongue, I am considered wise.
The Indiscreet Tongue
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:11)
Affirmation:
My discretion will protect me and understanding will guard me.
The Silent Tongue
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to be silent and a time to speak.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7)
Affirmation:
I will not keep silent when I should be speaking.