How would you describe your way of communicating? Can you communicate openly, honestly, appropriately, and effectively? Or, do you often deflect, blame, ridicule, and lie? James 3:2 said, “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” 

Genesis 3:7-11 records that Adam and Eve’s perception became distorted and even perverted after they sinned and did not do what God told them to do. Before they sinned, they saw everything as God saw, good and beautiful. However, after they had sinned, they begin to live in the fallen nature which affected their relationships. They could no longer be open and honest with each other. This is what sin does to us: we are prone to hide ourselves and our feelings from one another. In other words, we now wear a mask. We cover up our needs, bury our thoughts, and repress our feelings even though we should be sharing them with those who care and love us. We mull over things inwardly instead and become quiet, reserved, withdrawn, and superficial. We allow things to bottle up inside until they explode or let them come out in the wrong ways.

Genesis 3:12-13 also records that after Adam was unable to hide himself or his feelings any longer, he shifted the blame away from himself to Eve and God. He blamed Eve for giving him the fruit to eat and even blamed God for giving the woman to him and causing him to sin. The fallen human will shift responsibility to others instead of admitting to its faults. Fallen man will project his problems onto those around him. He will ridicule and pass sarcastic, obnoxious, and prideful remarks and comments instead of humbly admitting to sin.

Paul exhorted believers to put off the old self, which belongs to their former way of life as sinners and is corrupted by their deceitful desires. He encouraged the believers to renew their minds, and to put on the new self that is created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-25) The evidence that we belong to Christ and have become a new creation is how we talk and communicate to each other. Are you able to communicate openly, honestly, appropriately, and effectively? Or, are you still prone to deflect, hide, blame, ridicule and lie?

Paul in Colossian 3:16 teaches us that the way to change our communication pattern and live a transformed life is to be constantly abiding in Christ through the knowledge of His word. Thus, as new creations in Christ, our communication pattern must be full of grace and also seasoned with salt. Paul exhorts us, “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)