Clear Communication

Good, clear communication is hard to find these days.  Don’t get me wrong-- I understand that we are living in an age of technology like we’ve never known before.  We can chat with someone around the world on our computers and cell phones.  Thanks to satellite technology, television and radio signals are bringing up-to-the-minute news coverage and entertainment into some of the remotest places on earth.  But with all of this I can’t help but wonder-- are we really communicating? 

When national corporations go international, they sometimes experience weird language problems.  For example, when Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) started selling in China in the 1980s, their slogan “it’s finger-lickin’ good” was mistranslated as “eat your fingers off.”           

I worked in radio for seventeen years and during that time I heard a lot of information but not a lot of communication.  The reason why is because the definition of communication is “the exchanging of information”-- so it involves at least two people talking to each other and understanding what is being said.  If the recipient isn’t listening or doesn’t understand what the other person is saying then there is no communication. 

It happens in churches, families, and marriages.  In fact, 68% of troubled marriages in America list their #1 problem as the inability to communicate. I’m reminded of the story of a husband and wife who had been married for several years.  One day the wife complained to her husband, “The only time you told me you loved me was on the day we were married.”

The husband replied, “I meant it when I said it.  And if anything changes I’ll let you know!”

You’ve probably heard the saying: “actions speak louder than words.”  It’s true-- regardless of what we say with our mouths, our actions show what’s really in our hearts. Here’s another famous quote about our actions= “Preach the Gospel at all times…use words only if necessary.”   

If Christians are going to impact their world with the Gospel, they must also be willing to start communicating effectively.  Not just with their words but with their actions.  Many times, we use terms like “sanctification,” “justification” or “born again”-- which are biblically solid-- but could mean any number of things to someone outside of the church.  So, when we share our faith, let’s be careful to use the simplest terms possible so the message will come through loud and clear. 

A perfect example of the clear Gospel message is found in John 3:16= “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”  Simple.  Clear.  Communication.     

Rev. Doug Johnson, Senior Pastor, Lexington First Assembly of God in Lexington, KY.

www.LexingtonFirst.org