No Grunting Allowed!

What John Proclaims (1 John 1:1–3)

I love how the apostle John describes the communication skills demonstrated in the life of our Savior. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have look at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim toy the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:1-3)

Jesus, the Master Communicator

Jesus was a master communicator! Thank God He was, for our salvation depended upon God's ability to communicate to lost humanity. Jesus used storytelling and the incidents of everyday life to communicate spiritual principles. He captivated large crowds, smaller groups and His twelve disciples and other close followers when He spoke. The Holy Spirit used 40 authors over 1,600 years to communicate God's plan for the ages. His ultimate goal was to fellowship with fallen humanity. I'm so glad Jesus showed us how to talk!

Three Social Skills: Hear, See, Touch

John uses three words to describe the social skills that Jesus employed: hear, see and touch. Let me elaborate.

“That which we have heard…” (Listening)

Are you a good listener? Or, are you the one who does all the talking? No one gets a word in edgewise when you're around. Or perhaps you talk when others are talking. You need to wait your turn! The art of listening will make you friends an you'll learn a lot more while listening than you ever will doing all the talking. Do you have a short supply of friends? Ask yourself, "Do I talk about nonsensical things too much?" "Am I too silly?" "Do I make my conversations count>" "Is it all about me and my problems when I talk to others?"

Your answers may expose poor listening skills. I'll never forget the story about a man who walked into a room, and some thought him to be socially awkward. Then, the man began to speak, taking over the conversation. Someone said, "I wondered if he was an idiot, and when he opened his mouth, he removed all doubts!" Warning: kids who live on social media, cellphones, laptops, and other virtual devices are likely to be less than good communicators and poor listeners. In short, they are likely to be limited thinkers. We must teach our children tot think. When asked a question, grunting or no response is unacceptable.

When we listen, we learn. Please, please, please learn to listen. You will benefit greatly, and those around you will love you. more!

“That which we have seen…” (Eye Contact)

When we speak to someone or they speak to us, we need to make eye contact. Have you ever spoken to someone who ignored you with their eyes? It's so insulting! their body language says, "You for me," or "What you're saying doesn't matter," or "I'm not interested in you." The other day I was driving, and I realized that I hadn't seen the landscape. I drove from Ashtabula to Jefferson, and don't ask me how many people I ran over! Just kidding. Eyesight is wonderful, but a lot of sighted people still don't see! Be sure to look people in the eyes when you talk tot hem. It draws them into the conversation and highlights their significance.

“Our hands have touched…” (Appropriate Touch)

The enemy often uses touch in today's world to pervert and destroy. A pat on the back, an appropriate touch on the arm, a handshake, or a hug (on the side) are meaningful and convey the right thing; however, full frontal hugs with the opposite sex apart from marriage need to be exercised with caution. Enough about that!

Touch is a wonderful thing. It conveys the message that the speaker is kind, loving and warm. Inappropriate touch is the devil's modus operandi, and many today are suffering from its ungodly use. It's one thing for three-year-olds to hold hands and kiss one another on the cheek. Everyone says, "How cute!" It's an entirely different thing for two fourteen-year-olds to do the same. Touch can bring healing or it can bring a lifetime of pain. Inappropriate touch is the cause of many soul wounds.

A Word to Parents (Raising Communicators)

Parents, especially, I beg you. Teach your children how to be effective communicators. Don't allow them to become mediocre in their approach to human interaction. Demand that they develop good social skills. Don't allow them to function as lumps of dirt! Do them, you, and everyone else a favor by monitoring their level of social interaction. Drive them toward a spirit of excellence. Make them think! After all, they're smart! No grunting or ignoring allowed!