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Communication, Christian communication, is not a new topic by any means. In fact, as long as I’ve been a CSDA, communication has been a central theme of our ministry, and one that I would like to see taken to heart by our membership, and all who benefit from the light that our Father has shone on our Church, to an even greater degree than has been done so far.
The inclusion of good communication principles can only improve the interaction among the brethren, and will equip us that much more powerfully to reach out to others with the Gospel Message.
When we speak, we must always ask ourselves what we are contributing to our environment. This allows for the clearest communication possible, and the avoidance of unnecessarily long discussions over matters that can often be cleared up quickly. “Long speaking” is not generally an indication of Christian character; as it is written, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” (Pro 10:19)
Godly principles pertaining to listening and speaking contribute to sanctifying meetings among the Brethren, but they are not limited only to these occasions; these principles can be applied to all our discussions, including with friends and family members. When a Christian speaks, it out not to be in the same way that the rest of the world does. A very important passage of the Bible, which I don’t believe gets enough attention, is this one:
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, ‘Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole, be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yahshua the Messiah of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Yahshua.” (Acts 4:8-13)
This is to be our experience as well. Let none say, “I cannot speak well,” or “I am not intelligent enough to share the Gospel.” Yahshua chose His followers specifically so that glory would go to the Father for the message, rather than to the messengers for their cleverness. When the Spirit-filled believer speaks, it will be known to the open-minded observer that he has “been with Yahshua.”
There is something special about the speech of one who leans on the Spirit for wisdom and wording, who has confidence, trust in Yah, to allow this to happen.
Notice, I do not speak of one who “makes” this happen. I do not speak of one who learns how to do it. It is about those who “allow,” because the Scriptures tell us that we must simply be willing, and then “it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mar 13:11)
Of course, this is the case with the teaching of the Gospel, but men are not judged by how well they speak of the Gospel. The duty of a follower of a Christ is much broader than that; we are instructed, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Col 4:6) This is the way we speak, who dwell one with another in the fellowship of the Spirit on earth, in this atmosphere of Heaven.
It has been suggested by one of the brethren that perhaps an acronym of some kind, summarizing the relevant principles of communication that Yahweh has taught His people, would be useful in helping us to remember them, and it is something that I have been prayerfully considering.
As I did so, the following two verses were brought to my attention:
“Praise ye Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light.” (Psa 148:3)
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Dan 12:3)
Stars… As we know, “stars” in Scripture are symbolic representations for Yah’s angels, which are His messengers, His spokes-persons, His communicators. The stars of Heaven are instructed to praise the Creator, and as lights in a dark time we turn the lost to righteousness in accordance with the prophecy of Elijah (Malachi 4:6) and the great Christian commission. (Mat 28:19)
As such, when I considered the principles we have been sharing among ourselves recently, it seemed that the acronym S.T.A.R.S. would be not only convenient, but also quite fitting in a spiritual sense.
Here, then, is the acronym explained point by point.
The first “S” of S.T.A.R.S. stands for “Significance.”
This principle was originally identified as “Newness,” since the question that first arises when considering it is whether or not the comment we are about to speak will teach others anything new, or if the answer to the question I am about to ask teach me anything new. On reflection, though, significance is a better way to present the concept, because sometimes our brethren need to be “taught” something that is not necessarily new, but may be some significant principle or doctrine that they may have missed for some reason or another.
As such, the question then becomes, “Does my comment or question have spiritual significance, either for myself or for those who hear me?” Generally speaking, a significant contribution will be a “new” thing or, at least, a “renewed” thing that Yah is calling us to consider in a new light. If the answer to that question is “Yes,” then we are on the right track with our contribution.
The “T” of S.T.A.R.S. stands for “Timeliness.”
The question to ask in exploring this principle is, “Is my comment or question timely?” “Will it disrupt the flow of the conversation, either by going back to an already-closed topic, or jumping ahead to something new too quickly?”
In a Church setting, it is our responsibility to let our brethren know what we are experiencing as we communicate with them. If we believe a matter is not yet settled, we must let this be known before the group agrees to move on, or else, if we fail to do this, the best approach is to re-introduce it at a later time, possibly through some other means, and not interrupt the conversation as it moves forward. On the other hand, we as a group should ensure that a current matter is settled before jumping ahead to a new one. While we cannot expect this level of courtesy and care from conversations with those of the world, we can certainly set an example for them.
Often, as the moderator for our Church’s Sabbath and New Moon meetings, I will ask if there are any more questions or comments on a matter before either bringing them to a close, or moving on to another agenda item. It is certainly the case, of course, that some people need time to think about a matter before responding – and this is better than merely speaking quickly for the sake of speaking. If such a situation arises, it might be best for the individual considering a contribution to say something like, “I have some thoughts on this... let me take some time to think about it and I will share it when I have it,” or perhaps even, “I would like to bring this matter up for further discussion later on.” In so doing we can take control of our reactions without unduly taking control of the meeting. The notice of a desire for further discussion does not disrupt the flow of the conversation, but at the same time lets the brethren know that there is more to be said.
One “special case” of this involves occasions on which a matter is raised for an official Church vote. In such a case, we would hope that the issue at hand is either very clear, or that (in as many cases as we can) we have raised the matter for preliminary consideration beforehand. That way, the meeting can be held to discuss any concerns that have already come up in our previous thoughts about the matter, and the vote can be held after a reasonable time.
As with all these points, this is a principle, not a law. We must be flexible with the way that such things are put into practice, lest we introduce an element of legalism or formalism. Generally speaking, though, if we all commit to following the essence of these ideas, then we should see an even better, even smoother, manner of communication among ourselves, and with the world.
The “A” of S.T.A.R.S. is “Accuracy.”
The relevant question associated with this principle is, “Is the comment I am about to make accurate, according to my current understanding?” Or, if it is a question, “Will the answer to the question I am considering asking lead to an accurate revelation of the truth?”
We know the commandment to refrain from bearing a false witness against others, but those who are careless or hyperbolic with their language also bear witnesses against themselves through their words, through their testimony. (Jer 14:7, Job 15:6) We therefore have a responsibility to ensure that our speech is to-the-point, free of misleading exaggeration, and representative of truth so far as we know. This is, hopefully, intuitively true for the Bible student, and should not require much by way of explanation.
The “R” in S.T.A.R.S. is “Relevance.”
Hopefully, what we are doing here can be recognized without too much difficulty. Hopefully, the two Great Commandments in the Law, the character of Yahshua, and the Gospel message, can all be seen in these five principles. If we have love for our Father in Heaven, we will want, with all our hearts, to be able to clearly express the “mind of Christ” that is within us to others. If we have love for our neighbor as ourselves, we will show them respect. We will esteem them better than ourselves. (Phil 2:3)
In considering this particular point, the question “Is my contribution relevant to those who hear me?” is a way of showing others courtesy and respect, indicating that we are paying attention to what they are saying, and that we are interested in their communication. Those who find themselves breaking in with new subjects – generally of primary interest to themselves – they are revealing a focus on “self” rather than others, and a disregard of the principles on which the Commandments were built.
This is no small matter for those seeking to be among the 144,000, and it is a bit different from “significance,” since it is possible to find interest (a measure of how relevant we think a topic is) in matters that are not particularly significant. Something may also be significant in an overall sense, but not relevant to the current discussion taking place, for example, introducing a specific matter concerning diet “out of the blue” during a conversation that is addressing speech reform as a particular, pressing need. Another example of significance without relevance might be launching into a discourse about the problems with the Trinity doctrine during an animated exchange about righteousness by faith without establishing any prior connection between the two.
Of course, even the world can respect an individual who speaks in a relevant manner. A sign of mental instability, perhaps even possession, is incoherent speech, which means speech that has no apparent connection to the environment with which a person is involved.
The Scriptures tell us that the beginning of wisdom and knowledge is the fear and respect of Yah; (Pro 1:7, Psalm 111:10) therefore, we can only conclude that a disregard of Yah and His principles will inevitably lead to confusion, foolishness, and ultimately insanity. By our Father’s grace, we are the Redeemed, the Healed, and so our conversations are not to display even the “smell of smoke” of disorder and confusion. As those who speak “always with grace, seasoned with salt,” we ensure that our discussions are engaged, and responsive, acknowledging those around us.
Since we are on the subject of relevance, it may be useful to add that at times the Spirit will guide a discussion in unexpected directions. Sometimes one topic may be used by Yahweh as a springboard to another subject, and this is perfectly acceptable. But again, we must ensure that even with our handling of inspiration, “all things” are done decently and in order. (1Cor 14:40)
The final letter, the second “S” in S.T.A.R.S. is for “Sanctification.”
“Does the comment I am planning to ask, or this comment I am planning to make, contribute to the sanctified and sanctifying atmosphere of our environment?” “Will others be blessed by what I say, or will the answer to what I am asking bless me toward increased godliness?”
In a way, this consideration of the sanctifying power of our words has a lot of overlap with the previous principles of Significance, Timeliness, Accuracy, and Relevance.
We are called-upon by our Father to be a blessing to our brethren. We may read the oft-repeated passage, “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” (Eph 4:11, 12)
Where do you see yourself in that list? Do you see yourself at all, or are you just a bystander, a recipient of the blessings?
It should be plainly understood, none can simply “receive” the blessings that suit a soul for the Heavenly Kingdom. This was one of the first lessons that Yahweh taught me after becoming a CSDA. If I have heard a blessing, a truth, then I am responsible for sharing it with others. If I am not in that list above, somewhere, then I am not truly receiving anything from my Father, because the gifts that He gives are not only designed to save, but to make us into those things, those living instruments by which others are, in turn, saved from death and destruction.
Our words must have sanctifying power, without any work of the flesh in their motivation. It is only in this way that we will shine, like lights in the darkness, as beacons of holiness in a world given over to sin.
The angels, Yah’s messengers, are represented by stars. By means of our sanctified and sanctifying communication, we do the work of Yah’s messengers, including those Three Angels of Revelation 14 that bring the everlasting Gospel to mankind.
So to summarize one final time, our acronym S.T.A.R.S. stands for Significance, Timeliness, Accuracy, Relevance, and Sanctification.
Lest any think that this is too simple, too basic an examination of communication principles, let us consider human definitions of spiritual concepts.
People say, “We must have courtesy, sensitivity, and perception.” All Christians probably say such things, or some equivalent set of virtues. But do they know what those concepts mean? Do they really understand these things if they are content participating in, or watching, the persecution of others? Do they really understand these things if they have no heart for the lost and dying?
More generally, people say, “God is Love, and Christians are all about love.” But here again, many do not know what that means, not in the Biblical sense of that term. They do not know what it means to love Yahweh, for they disregard His Commandments, the very words that reveal to us the nature of divine love. They do not know what it means to love their neighbors as themselves, or else they would love the truth when it is presented before them, and take it to the world. There are deep, spiritual implications in the consideration of even the most fundamental words and concepts.
Let such things never be said of the genuine Bride of Christ, but we cannot go on into the meat of the Gospel until we have properly laid the foundations. Therefore, let us, here and now, commit to an understanding of these most basic principles, so that we never again need to review them except with the newly-converted. Let us commit these concepts of communication to our hearts, and our characters, so that we shall be “apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if Yahweh peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” (2Tim 2:24, 25)
Our Father is calling us to make firm decisions with regard to the people we are to be, both individually and as a collective Body. Thou this may seem of little importance to the flesh, souls are in the balance on the very ideas that have be put forth in this simple article; therefore, let there be serious soul-searching to root out any lingering defects that prevent us from grasping the truth of this and other matters.
These questions that we ask ourselves, these S.T.A.R.S. principles that we may now learn, are not intended in the least to stifle or shorten conversations. The lights that Yah has created were designed to be seen, never concealed. (Mat 5:15) In fact our Father, by His message, desires to encourage more, and more frequent, conversation; but as we do that, we also want to ensure that this is spiritual, refined communication, not frivolous, frustrating, or tiresome. We want our ability to speak, both to one another and to the world, to be significant in both length and content. We are responsible for our words, and, to a degree... we are responsible for the words of our brothers and sisters. If we see a defect in communication in one of our brethren, and do not do what is in our power (in love) to correct it, we become responsible for their continued error to a certain extent. And if a soul is lost due to their roughness or due to their lack of skill in a matter we have previously discerned, then we share in the guilt of that inexpressible loss.
We communicate for several reasons, but to express Agape is the first and foremost, and those who cannot yet do so effectively have a work to do in becoming more like our Father in Heaven. It is my prayer that we continually grasp that next “rung” on the ladder above us, (Phil 3:13) so that we may be always about our Father’s business.
David.