How good is your conversation with God and with a man? Effective communication is a vital tool in building good relationships. Truly, lasting relationships are built on the right words said at the right times. And speaking with God and man is an important aspect of a man's life. This article gives how to effectively speak with God and man and get answers.

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart - Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NKJV).

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak] - Ephesians 4:29 (AMP).

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light - Matthew 11:29-30 (NKJV, emphasis mine).

Introduction

Communication is an integral part of our everyday activities. And in addition to talking with men, we Christians also talk with God Almighty. Generally, to talk is easy, but knowing to edify our hearers is another thing entirely. However, if you know how to talk to God, you will know how to talk to man. And Christ said we should learn from Him. So, as you learn to effectively communicate with God, you will discover that you also, can effectively communicate with men. And one important thing about communicating with God and man is to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and to wrath. Again, communication is a two-way process; you speak and God speaks. So, ensure you listen to hear the Lord speak to you too. And learn how to effectively speak with God and man and get answers.

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath - James 1:19 (NKJV)

Speaking With God

God desires to talk with you, and He has given us the way to Him; however, you have to take the first steps towards Him. And He said that when we call on Him, He will listen, but you have to do it with all your heart.

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart - Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NKJV).

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth - Psalms 145:18 (NKJV).

Truly, the Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth and prayer is the best way to start the day. As such, you talk to God before you talk to man. And when you learn to talk to God first, talking to men afterward will be with a touch of divinity.

So, how do you speak with the Lord?

1. Gain access first

Praise and thanksgiving give you access to God, for you enter the gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. And until you gain access, He won't hear you when you call on Him. Therefore, live a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving, so as to maintain open access to the Lord.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name - Psalms 100:4 (NKJV).

2. Come with a genuine heart

If you want to effectively communicate with God, you must draw near with a true heart, and void of iniquity. For we connect with our hearts, not with the mouth or lips. And if you have iniquity in your heart, the Lord will not hear you. Interestingly, we can fool men with our mouths but not God, who sees the deep things of the heart.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water - Hebrews 10:22 (NKJV).

Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men," - Isaiah 29:13 (NKJV).

If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear - Psalms 66:18 (NKJV).

3. Have regard for God's word

Know that God listens for and responds to His word. So, anyone who will not hear His word will not have his own word heard by the Lord. And if you don't pray according to His word, He will not hear you either. Therefore, for you to effectively communicate with God, you must be a hearer and doer of His word

One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination - Proverbs 28:9 (NKJV).

Now, this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him - I John 5:14-15 (NKJV).

4. Be honest with God

When you're talking to the Lord, don't hide anything from God. This is because nothing is hidden from Him, for He knows all things. So, be honest with God and make your specific request known unto Him, telling Him things as they are. Certainly, the truth will make you free.

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God - Philippians 4:6 (AMP).

5. Be confident

You must have confidence in whom you're talking to. So, you must believe that He is and that He rewards those who seek Him diligently. Also, you must boldly come before the Almighty, knowing that He is capable of doing as He says.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him - Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV).

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need - Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV).

6. Be humble

Again, you must come before the Lord with humility. This is because any proud person is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to God. So, He will resist you and not allow you into His presence if you're proud. And if you're not in God's presence, you will miss the fullness of Joy and all that the Lord has to offer.

Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the LORD; be assured he will not go unpunished - Proverbs 16:5 (AMP).

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble - James 4:6 (NKJV).

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore - Psalms 16:11 (NKJV).

Speaking With Men

You can apply the same principles to your conversation with men. So, first, stop being judgmental, have a clean heart always, and have regard for the words of the people you're talking to. Also, be honest with men and have confidence in them, while you remain humble. Truly, having regard for God's word will always make you relate well with men. This is because the word of God gives us instructions on how to live in this world and enjoy it. And when you apply them, you will reap the benefits.

Conclusion

Truly, speaking with God and men is an important aspect of a man's life. However, you must learn not to do all the talking, but to also be a good listener. And remember to have regards for the other person. Also, keep away from iniquity because it will always separate you from God and close friends. So, as you learn how to effectively speak with God and man and get answers, you will enjoy your life better.