[image: Purpose Driven Connection - Daily Devotional] May 13, 2009
Breaking Through the Sound
Barrier<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?f4Gt2UekGcSr6kJdE=93>
by Rick Warren
In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages
that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this
passage: "Listen
before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting"
(Proverbs 18:13 TEV).
To really communicate, you must give up three things:
1. You must give up your assumptions. We get into trouble when we start
assuming we understand the meaning of what people say to us. The truth is
everything you hear goes through a filter. Your filter is determined by your
past experiences and your unique personality. You may not be hearing what
they are really saying. Therefore, it is smart (and safe) to ask for
clarification: "Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid
and insulting" (Proverbs 18:13 TEV).
2. You must give up your accusations. You never get your point across by
being cross. Anger and sarcasm only make people defensive and that kills
communication. There are four common forms of accusation:
• Exaggerating, such as making sweeping generalities like "You never," or
"You always."
• Labeling, such as derogatory name-calling. Labeling never changes anyone.
It only reinforces the negative behavior.
• Playing historian, such as bringing up past failures, mistakes, and broken
promises.
• Asking loaded questions, ones that really can't be answered, such as,
"Can't you do anything right?"
The Bible says, "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind
that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good
to those who hear you" (Ephesians 4:29 TEV).
3. You must give up your apprehensions. Fear prevents honest communication.
It causes us to conceal our true feelings and fail to confront the real
issues. The two most common apprehensions are: the fear of failure and the
fear of rejection. But when you face your fear and risk being honest, then
real communication can happen. Freedom is the result of openness. Jesus
said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32
TEV).
*Today on PurposeDriven.com:*
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see what to pray for this week, including the
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the Christians of the Middle
East<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?CYGt2UekGcSr6kcn0KVqF=2311>,
and the friends and family of those killed in
Baghdad<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?IYGt2UekGcSr6kcn0KVqO=2321>
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--
'Unless you change what you do, you will always have what you've got.'
- Jim Rohn
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