Learn Effective Verbal Communication

Learn effective verbal communication. Effective verbal communication requires both good speaking and good listening skills. The six most important aspects of good verbal communication are:

Listen carefully.

One of the most important aspects of verbal communication is listening. If we respond to a suggestion or comment before the speaker has had the opportunity to fully express the thought, we are extremely rude, and the Bible says we are, foolish.1

A soft answer is an asset.

In a confrontational situation, a soft answer is the one that will cool the situation down and enable you to have effective communication.2

Tell the truth.

Somehow we think it is more love to hide our true feelings from those we don't want to hurt. However, a relationship built on hidden feelings, hopes or fears is built on shaky ground. The saying, "Say what you mean and mean what you say," is supported by many Biblical statements.3

Believe what you hear.

When your husband or wife tells you something in a discussion, believe what they say. Nothing is more frustrating, when trying to discuss a subject, than to have the other person hearing what they want to hear or think you are talking about, rather than what you really said. Many times people who have been married for many years don't really know each other because they won't believe what their partner says. In many of these cases, after a few years, one of the partners just gives up and quits trying to communicate.

Stick to the subject.

If you have a tendency to throw in a thought or an unrelated subject while discussing an issue, break the habit. If you and your spouse are disagreeing over why the electric bill is so high and one of you says, "You don't love me anyway," they are not sticking to the subject. If you need to talk about whether you really love each other, do it at a different time, for now, just stick to one subject.

Believe you are on the same side.

It is much easier to resolve differences, make plans, or share disappointments, if you both are committed to the fact that you are on the same side. If you are both Christians, you are not only on the same side now, you are going to stay there, if your commitment is to obey God's commands for you.