There's a formula that the famous poet, Ogden Nash, once wrote that hopefully will help us remember how to communicate more effectively in our relationships.
Mr. Nash wrote:
"If you want your marriage to sizzleDear reader, not only is there great wisdom in that four-liner, there's also a great truth that is supported by Scripture. Let us look at these two simple guidelines that Mr. Nash has provided us:
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you're wrong, admit it;
Whenever you're right, shut up!"
1) If we are wrong in our decision making, or the choices that we make, we need to admit it up front. Not only marriage, but all relationships benefit from this kind of honesty (Proverbs 12:22). Protecting ourselves when we're wrong, makes any kind of resolution impossible.
2) On the other hand, we can equally be hard to live with if we insist that we're always right — the idea that everything done should be done "my way, or it's the highway."
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4, that "[Love] does not parade itself, is not puffed up." No one likes to be around someone who always seems to patting himself on the back in order to build up his ego. We need not be afraid to admit that we are simply a fallible human being — capable of making mistakes — and sometimes, very serious mistakes (Luke 15:11-21).
Dear reader, let us humble ourselves (James 4:10) and be willing to make application of these two simple guidelines, helping us to have more effective communication skills in our relationships. Admit wrong, and keep quiet about being right!
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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