“Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.” (1 Corinthians 14:7-9, New Living Translation)
Why is it that we, who have the greatest message in all the world, are so ineffective in sharing it? The immediate context of 1 Corinthians 14 is about speaking in tongues. I’m not going there. It was obviously controversial in the 1st century church and we have not settled the issue in 2000 years.
However, there is a powerful principle that extends beyond the immediate context: Clear communication requires a clear communicator who understands his/her audience. By “audience,” I am not speaking only of public communication. I am speaking about anyone who is the designated receiver of the communication. If I am going to communicate clearly, I must understand the person to whom I am speaking; to gain that understanding, I’m going to need to ask some questions and learn how to listen.
Question: On a scale of 1-10 (10 being perfect), how good a listener are you?
Leave a comment below. I’m really interested in your perspective.
