The art of family communication

Topic 7: Silent communication

I. Introduction
Let's see what the experts keep saying about silent communication. Non-verbal
language is important. The body has a language with its own vocabulary and grammar.
The body is very expressive. It is said that around 700,000 different physical signs are
produced of which the face alone can produce 250,000 different expressions. Will
silent communication or non-verbal language be the same everywhere? If we all think
that our verbal language is universal, we couldn't be more wrong. It is true that some
basic emotions such as joy, sadness, surprise, or fear correspond to the same facial
expressions in all countries, but in general our communication is eminently cultural.
That is why communication experts say that non-verbal communication provides a
series of suggestions about gestures around the world.

II. Bible

Let's see what the Bible says about how to interpret silent communication.

Let's read Ephesians 4:23-25 and try to discover the Apostle's intention in writing this
text.
Let's see what the Bible says about how to interpret silent communication. The apostle
Paul's advice is that all communication be clothed with the deep intention of speaking
the truth and with the firm purpose of doing so efficiently. To communicate effectively
with others, we must be honest about our thoughts, desires, and emotions. It often
happens that we find it better to avoid problems than to recognize that we are
struggling with these sinful emotions mentioned in Galatians 5:16-21.

Let's look at Proverbs 16:2. What does this biblical text want to tell us?
There are times when we might think we are doing well because we fear being
reinforced and so we opt for superficial communication, deceiving ourselves, refusing
to acknowledge the possibility that our thoughts, feelings, desires, values and actions
could be wrong. . We may deny it or blame others, make excuses, try to hide it, or call
what we are doing something else. Giving our feelings other names is another way of
avoiding the truth that they exist. Instead of acknowledging that we are bitter,
resentful, or angry, we use euphemisms like: “I'm a little hurt,” “I'm disappointed,” or
“I'm worried.”

Let's look at 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 and answer the question: what does true love drive
us to do?
We need to interpret the actions of others carefully. Love seeks the best interpretation
of the other person's behavior as long as there is no indication that it is different. Love
assumes the best instead of the worst, love is not defensive, love does not take
everything to heart, love recognizes that the same behavior can have different
meanings in different circumstances, so if we are concerned about the message They
send us the actions of a certain person, what do we have to do?
Proverbs 25:9. What does this Proverb advise us?
Gently clarifying things by seeing the other person help them understand is a helpful
technique to increase the effectiveness of mimic or non-verbal communication. Never
assume that you infallibly understand what the other person's negative nonverbal
behavior means. Others have misunderstood you, so you may misunderstand them
too. Make the practice of clearing things up a regular activity in your family life. As with
expressions and words, different gestures can have very different interpretations and
connotations depending on the situation or context. You can misinterpret the signs.
The scriptures offer an interesting illustration of the importance of setting the record
straight.

Let's read Genesis 32:7-20 and then 33:1-3. What does this passage teach us?
Jacob misinterpreted Esau's actions. He was scared that he came with so many people.
He drew the wrong conclusion that they wanted to attack him and that is why he acted
the way he did, even giving gifts to appease their anger, instead of talking. This passage
seeks to apply oneness in everything you think and feel. Try to consciously see yourself
as others perhaps see you.

III. Transfer to life

Now we have to transfer it to life, we have to apply it to our daily lives. To see if your
silent communication matches your verbal communication, do the following exercise.
Remember that it is a suggestion. Do you want to know yourself a little more? So, look
at yourself in front of a mirror or a video camera. This way you will notice your
gestures and tics and you will also know the way to occupy space with your hands,
feet, gestures, body phrasing and all the silent language that you surely use but that,
since you do not have the possibility of seeing yourself, you are unaware of.