Meaning Well: A Biblical Outline of Human Communication

Earl Creps, Ph.D.

Director, Doctor of Ministry Program
Pentecostal Leadership
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
Springfield, Missouri, USA
ecreps@agseminary.edu
www.agts.edu

The most common model of human communication is composed of a Sender, a

Receiver, a Message, and a Feedback loop. This model has been applied both to
interpersonal, large group, and mass media communication using a variety of channels.
SENDER

(MESSAGE)

RECEIVER

FEEDBACK

While this depiction of the communicative process is simplistic (as well as being
painfully modernist), it does offer a convenient framework on which to hang the biblical
data so we can have a good look at it all in one place. The purpose of this outline is not
to compose a theology of communication (that's still in the works!), but to bring much of
the scripture (of a propositional sort) to light on the subject in a non-technical way as a
resource for speakers and an aid to spiritual growth. Meditating your way through the
outline is a very risky thing to do!
Understandable, Christians tend to look at the Bible as the story of God communicating
with humanity. It is. However, apart from sermons like "Taming the Tongue," and "How
to Be Happy Though Married," the church plays relatively little attention to humanity's
most important daily task: understanding each other. Perhaps more than anything else,
God has made us communicative beings. This outline provides a basic owner's manual
for people who want to mean well.
All scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Version of the Bible
unless otherwise noted.

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

I. The Sender: communication is the responsibility of the sender. We tend to blame the
listener for any "failure to communicate." But a sender with integrity will shoulder
this responsibility.
A) The Senders attributes are determined by . . .
1. Condition of the heart.
Proverbs 10:20
The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
Proverbs 10:31-32
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut off.
The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.
Proverbs 16:13
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds persuasiveness to his lips. (or: learning)
Proverbs 18:4
The words of a mans mouth are deep waters;
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Matthew 12:34
For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
2. Choices of the mind.
Psalm 17:30
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles.
Psalm 39:1
I said, I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle,
While the wicked are in my presence.

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

B) The Senders accountability is to God

1. To resolve anger within before it influences messages going out.
Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
Ephesians 4:26
Be angry, and yet do not sin, do not let the sun go down upon your
anger.
James 1:19b-20
and be slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the
righteousness of God.
2. To give God control of every message.
Psalms 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Matthew 12:36-37
And I say to you that every careless word that men shall spread,
they shall render account for it in the Day of judgement.
For by your words you shall be justified,
and by your words you shall be condemned.
Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
James 1:26
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his own heart, this mans religion is worthless.
The Senders ability to speak the truth in love.
C) The Sender's ability to serve others depends on
1. Having the Word in the heart.
Psalm 37:30-31
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.
The Law of the Lord is in his heart; His steps do not slip.

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

2. Having the Lord on the mind.

Psalm 139:4
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
3. Having the mouth closed.
Proverbs 10:19
Where there are many words, transgression is unavoidable.
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Proverbs 13:3
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 17:27-28
He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.
Proverbs 28:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Matthew 15:11
Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds
out of the mouth, this defiles the man.
II. The Message: this component of the model can take many forms ranging from oral,
to written to non-verbal. Messages can be intentional or unintentional.
Sometimes they are negotiated between Sender and Receiver. At other times
they exist only in the Receiver's mind.
A) Verbal and non-verbal messages have serious implications
Proverbs 12:18
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.
Proverbs 15:4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but perversion in it crushes the spirit.
(lit. healing)
Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 25:15
By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaks the bone.
1 Peter 3:1-2
In the same way, you wives be submissive to your own husbands so that
even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without
a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and
respectful behavior.
B) The message can be godly if it is . . . . .
1. Truthful in content
Ephesians 4:15
but speak the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects unto
Him, who is the head, even Christ.
Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you
with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
1 Timothy 3:8
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued . . ..
(or: given to double-talk)
Proverbs 12:19 (NIV)
"Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a
moment."

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)

"The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are
truthful."
2. Pure in character
Galatians 5:26
Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one
another.
Ephesians 5:4
And there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting,
which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be
put away from you along with all malice.
Ephesians 5:19
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.
Colossians 3:8,9
But now you also, put them all aside; anger, wrath, malice, slander
and abusive speech from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its
evil practices.
Titus 3:2
to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every
consideration for all men.
1 Peter 2:1-2
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and
envy and all slander, like newborn babes long for the pure milk of
the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.
1 Peter 3:10
For let him who means to love life and see good days,
Refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

3. Correct in doctrine
Titus 2:1
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound
doctrine.
Titus 2:6-8
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible, in all things show
yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine,
dignifiedsound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that
the opponent be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
4. Appropriate to
a. The Situation
Proverbs 25:11
Like apples of god in settings of silver,
is a word spoken in right circumstances.
b. The Listener
Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with
salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each
person.
5. Encouraging in effect
Romans 14:19
So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the
building up of one another.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such
a word as is good for edification according to the need of the
moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.
(lit. rotten)

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

B) The message is ungodly if it involves . . ..

1. Gossip behind the back.
Proverbs 11:12-13 (NIV)
"A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of
understanding holds his tongue. {13} A gossip betrays a
confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret."
Proverbs 17:9 (NIV)
"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever
repeats the matter separates close friends."
Proverbs 26:28 (NIV)
"A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth
works ruin."
1 Timothy 5:13b
gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to
mention.
Titus 2:3
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not
malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is
good.
James 4:11
Do not speak against one another, brethren.
2. Put downs to the face.
Matthew 5:22
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall
be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother,
Raca shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall
say you fool shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
(Aramaic for: empty head or good for nothing)
3. Flattery or deception
Proverbs 26:28
"A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works
ruin."

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

III. The Receiver: biblical communicators are servants, not masters. The sharing of
meaning is for the benefit of the Receiver. Listening is the Receiver's obligation,
while the sender conveys meanings with relevance, authenticity, and love.
A) Godly Receiver values listening over speaking
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Proverbs 18:14
He who gives an answer before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.
James 1:19-20
But let everyone be quick to hear,
slow to speak and slow to anger;
for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
B) A Godly Receiver values the message
Job 34:3
For the ear tests words, as the palate tastes food. Let us choose for
ourselves, that which is right.
Proverbs 15:31
He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof,
Will dwell among the wise.
Proverbs 18:15
The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
C) A Godly Receiver values acceptance over judgment.
Romans 15:17
Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the
glory of God.
Colossians 3:12-13
and so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put
on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a
complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should
you.

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

D) A Godly Receiver values empathy as well as advice.

Proverbs 13:10 (NIV)
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take
advice."
Proverbs 19:20 (NIV)
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise."
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
IV. Feedback: the responses elicited by communication often determine whether a
relationship grows or dies. Integrity in the feedback process is a catalyst for
spiritual growth
A) Godly feedback to the Sender is
1. Honest
Proverbs 19:20 (NIV)
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be
wise."
Proverbs 24:26
He kisses the lips who gives a right answer.
(or: honest)
Proverbs 25:12 (NIV)
"Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's
rebuke to a listening ear."
Proverbs 27:5
Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed.
Proverbs 28:23
He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward,
than he who flatters with a tongue.
2. Gentle
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

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Proverbs 25:15
"Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue
can break a bone."
3. Appropriate
Proverbs 15:23
A man has joy in an apt answer,
and how delightful is a timely word.
Proverbs 27:14
"If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be
taken as a curse."
B) Godly feedback to the Sender will . . .
1. Reinforce the Senders desire to communicate
Proverbs 20:5
A plan in a mans heart is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.
2. Be reinforced by deeds of love.
1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed
and truth."

Earl Creps

www.agts.edu

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