If the strength of your marriage was determined by the words you speak to each other, how strong would it be?
A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. —Proverbs 18:19-22
Wall #1: Assuming Instead of
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion. —Proverbs 18:2
“The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” —George Bernard Shaw
Wall #2: Talking But Not
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; —James 1:19
Wall #3: Using Silence as a
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. —Ephesians 4:26-27
Wall #4: Speaking in
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger. —Proverbs 15:1
Wall #5: Letting Small Problems Become Big Problems
Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense. —Proverbs 19:11
Wall #6: Sarcasm, Criticism, & Harsh Words
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. —Ephesians 4:29
Wall #7: Letting
Wall #8: Forgetting to Speak
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body. —Proverbs 16:24
So what now?
• Identify the broken walls
• Have conversations about those walls
• Pray for and with your spouse to include God in the remodel and rebuilding of healthy communication in your home.
A great marriage doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built intentionally.