Effective Use of Biblical Stories in Spiritual Communication
Effective spiritual communication, particularly through biblical stories, relies on conveying truth in a manner that resonates and transforms. The Apostle Paul, for instance, emphasized that his preaching of the Good News was accompanied by "the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit" [1]. This suggests that effective communication in a spiritual context is not merely the transmission of information but also involves a divine enablement that makes the message impactful.
The concept of "communication" in the New Testament often extends beyond mere verbal exchange to encompass sharing and fellowship. For example, Philemon 1:6 (KJV) speaks of "the communication of thy faith" becoming "effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" [3]. John Gill interprets this "communication of thy faith" not as the transfer of faith itself, but as an account of its workings, its joy, and the peace it brings, which can edify others [6]. He also notes that it can refer to acts of beneficence, demonstrating faith through righteous deeds [6]. Similarly, Romans 12:13 (KJV) encourages "distributing to the necessity of saints," which Gill explains as "communicating" to those in need, particularly within the "household of faith" [7, 2]. This broader understanding of communication highlights that spiritual messages are often conveyed through actions and shared experiences, not just words.
The Bible itself is presented as the ultimate source for effective spiritual communication. Paul states that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). This means Scripture is "breathed out by God’s own speech" and is effective for imparting wisdom for salvation and righteous living [5]. While Paul was initially referring to the Old Testament, this principle applies to all Scripture, including the New Testament [5].
The use of spiritual gifts, such as prophesying, is also central to effective spiritual communication within the church. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians, prioritizes prophesying over speaking in tongues because it is more beneficial for the church's edification [8]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown describe spiritual gifts as "the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church," which work together to perfect the body of Christ through love [4]. This underscores that spiritual communication is a dynamic, Spirit-empowered process aimed at building up believers.
Conversely, "evil communications corrupt good manners," as noted in 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) [9]. This proverb, cited by Paul, warns against the detrimental influence of those who deny core Christian beliefs, suggesting that negative interactions can undermine spiritual integrity [9]. Therefore, effective spiritual communication also involves discerning and avoiding influences that contradict the Gospel.
Sources
- Romans “in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; -- Romans 15:19”
- Romans “necessitatibus sanctorum communicantes : hospitalitatem sectantes. -- Romans 12:13”
- King James Version “[KJV] Philemon 1:6 — That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12 (introduction): THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, ESPECIALLY PROPHESYING AND TONGUES. (1Co. 12:1-31) spiritual gifts--the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church, which is Christ's body, the complement of His incarnation, as the body is the complement of the head. By the love which pervades the whole, the gifts of the several members, forming reciprocal complements to each other, tend to the one object of perfecting the body of Christ. The ordinary and permanent gifts are comprehended together with the extraordin”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- Philemon (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philemon 1:6: That the communication of thy faith,.... The grace of faith itself cannot be communicated from one to another; a believing parent cannot communicate it to his children, nor a master to his servants, nor a minister to his hearers; but an account of it, of its actings and exercises, of the joy of it, and of the peace a soul is filled with through believing, may be given to the mutual comfort and edification of saints; and it may be shown forth to others by the fruits of it, works of righteousness: but here it seems to design acts of beneficence, communicating to the ne”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:13: Distributing to the necessity of saints,.... Or "communicating", as many versions render the word; "distributing" more properly belongs to the officers of the church, the deacons, and communicating to the members of it in common. All men in general are to be relieved that are in want, even our very enemies, and particularly such as are our own flesh and blood, nearly related to us, aged parents, &c. and especially they that are of the household of faith, here called "saints"; and indeed, such only come under the care and notice of a church: and they are such, whom Go”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the greatest good. I. He begins with advising them of all spiritual gifts to prefer prophesying, and shows that this is much better than speaking with tongues (Co1 14:1-5). II. He goes on to show them how unprofitable the speaking of foreign languages is, and useless to the church; it is like piping in one tone, like sounding a trumpet without any certain note, like talking gibberish; whereas gifts should be used for ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:33: evil communications corrupt good manners--a current saying, forming a verse in MENANDER, the comic poet, who probably took it from Euripides [SOCRATES, Ecclesiastical History, 3.16]. "Evil communications" refer to intercourse with those who deny the resurrection. Their notion seems to have been that the resurrection is merely spiritual, that sin has its seat solely in the body, and will be left behind when the soul leaves it, if, indeed, the soul survive death at all. good--not only good-natured, but pliant. Intimacy with the profligate socie”