Proverbs 18:20-22 (NLT) - 20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. 21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. 22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.

Your marriage will never rise above the level of your mouth.

Words have great power.

• Words are like seeds.
  • You will reap what you sow.
  • You will reap more than what you sow.
  • There is a delay between sowing and reaping.
• Words do not disappear. Matthew 12:35-37 (NLT) - 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.
• Words will be judged.

1. The desert of love-NO COMMUNICATION

• Community and communication come from the same Latin word, communis. It means to share. If we don't communicate, we are not sharing our lives.
• How to start communicating
  • Open your eyes.
  • Open your ears.
  • Open your mouth.

2. The thornbush of love-BAD COMMUNICATION

Fruits of bad communication

• Sarcasm: "the use of irony to mock or convey contempt"
• Demeaning: "causing someone to lose their dignity and respect of others"
• Public venting
• Angry outbursts
• Passive-aggressive behavior
• Dishonesty
• Blame shiftings

Roots of bad communication

• Bad examples (parents, friends, media)
• Unforgiveness
• Insecurity
• Ignorance

3. The garden of love-GOOD COMMUNICATION

• There is always a right response.
  • Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) - A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
• Change your thoughts, change your words.
  • Philippians 4:8 (NLT) - And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
  • When you obsess over the weaknesses and failures of your spouse, you will talk about it. When you obsess on their strengths, you will talk about it.
• Understand the power of praise.