A New Song: Polite Speech in a Divided World

Embracing Respect and Gratitude in Our Daily Dialogue.

Many Christians think that speaking in tongues (glossolalia) is a mark of spirituality. Some have equated that to Psalms 98:1-9, which says, “Sing a new song to the LORD; he has done wonderful things!” For them, tongues are a heavenly language, the new promised song.

However, today, Christians must consider singing a new heavenly song, one that is rooted in making Bible values clear to an increasing pagan population, but doing it in a positive, polite manner.

Decency in Speech is in a State of Deterioration

In a world where communication has been reduced to text messages and 280-character tweets, the essence of respectful and gracious speech is a fading virtue. We must monitor what we hear, see, and read in order to set the stage for what we might say, and how we say it.

Political Speech

I regularly monitor three news websites: CNN on the Left, FOX on the Right. The news story from each of these outlets is predictable whenever an event happens. Adherents to one side of the political spectrum or the other think they are reading the truth on each. But each is just propagandizing their own base, and often in speech that divides rather than unites.

What third news site do I check? NewsNation, because it reflects the Centrist position I hold. They offer facts without the impolite rhetoric so prominent elsewhere. They let people make up their minds for themselves, and that is a respectful thing to do, in my opinion.

I also use the SmartNews app on my phone because it enables me to choose my favorite news outlets, but also monitor those that dissent.

Public Speech

We are seeing plenty of foul language from protestors these days, and from the extremists who support them. What concerns me more is seeing the “F-word” commonly used by politicians, in the titles of books, in news headlines. I’m not a prude, but I think people who use it in these ways must have low intelligence, no emotional intelligence, and a brazen indifference for others.

I assume they use it as shock value. They seem ignorant of the fact that people tend to tune-out speech that is not polite or gracious. Sometimes, we must read or hear things we disagree with to understand differing perspectives. However, we must change the channel when we hear the content stated in toxic ways.

Partisan zealots often revert to coarse language when their arguments are weak.

Personal Speech

The words we choose to use are powerful. They have the ability to build up or tear down, to heal or to hurt. According to a study by Psychologist Dr. Albert Mehrabian, 55 percent of occur communication is nonverbal, 38 percent vocal, and 7 percent words only.

That 7 percent can be profound when delivered with respect and gratitude. The Bible echoes this sentiment in Proverbs 16:24 (ESV), “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

In a world where language is getting darker and more fractious, Christians can refine their speech to embody respect and gratitude. We can add some light to language, and it can have a healing effect on all who hear it.

How to Sing a New Song

If we are followers of Christ, we must follow biblical principles when it comes to sharing our views, religious, social, or political. As Paul said in Colossians 4:6:

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Here are three practical ways to do that.

Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude

Our words are often a reflection of the state of our hearts. As believers, cultivating a heart of gratitude not only aligns us closer to Christ but also impacts how we interact with others. This requires an attitude adjustment for most people. Most have become accustomed to the harsh language of our culture, and it takes effort to abandon it. A reset requires that we rethink the meaning of gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Gratitude, therefore, is not merely a polite gesture, but a divine directive that realigns our hearts with the heart of God. Uncovering the theological underpinnings of gratitude offers a fresh perspective on why and how we express thanks in our daily interactions.

Expressing gratitude is not confined to uttering words of thanks, but extends to a lifestyle of appreciation. It’s about acknowledging the good in others, affirming their efforts, and celebrating their achievements, no matter how small. This fosters a culture of respect, which in turn, encourages a more gracious discourse.

In a world where ‘thank you’ is often tossed around superficially, Christians are called to a deeper level of appreciation. This entails recognizing the image of God in every individual and valuing them beyond the surface level. It’s about moving past mere politeness to a heart-felt expression of gratitude.

Embrace Respectful Dialogue

Respect is a cornerstone of meaningful and constructive communication. It’s about valuing others’ opinions even when they differ from ours, and it forms the foundation for building trust and understanding.

The scripture is replete with admonitions on showing respect to all. 1 Peter 2:17 instructs, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” This biblical mandate transcends cultural and personal biases, urging believers to uphold respect in all their interactions.

Respectful dialogue is a tangible expression of Christ’s love. It showcases a willingness to listen, understand, and value others, which in turn reflects the humble and loving nature of Christ.

n a culture that often equates respect with weakness or a lack of conviction, Christians are poised to challenge this misconception. Through respectful dialogue, believers can demonstrate that it’s possible to stand firm in one’s beliefs while engaging others with love and respect.

Be Assertive Yet Gracious

Modifying our speech to exhibit respect and gratitude does not entail a compromise of our beliefs or coming across as weak. It’s about striking a delicate balance between being assertive yet gracious.

Being assertive is about expressing our beliefs and standing firm in our convictions, but it should always be rooted in love. Ephesians 4:15 encourages us to, “speak the truth in love,” thereby promoting a form of assertiveness that is both respectful and gracious.

Implementing gracious assertiveness entails practicing active listening, showing empathy, and choosing our words carefully to communicate our points without demeaning or belittling others.

Many harbor the misconception that assertiveness and graciousness are mutually exclusive. However, through thoughtful and respectful dialogue, Christians can shatter this misconception, showcasing that it’s possible to uphold truth while extending grace.

The Way Ahead

The journey towards embodying respect and gratitude in our speech is a worthy endeavor that reflects the love and humility of Christ. Recapitulating the key takeaways, we find that:

Cultivating a heart of gratitude realigns our hearts with God’s, fostering a culture of respect.
Embracing respectful dialogue reflects Christ’s love and challenges the status quo.
Striving for a balance between assertiveness and graciousness shatters misconceptions and promotes wholesome communication.

We can reflect Christ in our speech by embodying respect and gratitude in our interactions. This is a meaningful way to challenge the culture of harshness in which we live.