Nonverbal Communication

The next thing to look at is how we send messages without speaking.

Consider the implications of nonverbal communication: Nonverbal communication is a language without words that sends messages about our attitudes, moods and feelings. Some of the channels are physical appearance, facial expressions, eye contact, body language, and proxemics (the distance between two people who are communicating). If someone has the choice to either believe your words they are hearing or the message they see your body is sending, they will ultimately believe the nonverbal message first.

So what is the implication within the body of Christ? I think on the literal level, we interact with each other all the time. And during those interactions, we are unwittingly sending perhaps unintended messages. Yes, it’s true that crossing your arms in front of you doesn’t always mean judgment – perhaps you’re just cold or don’t know what to do with your hands.

Let’s say someone has come up to you with a problem. Maybe it’s someone who you’re not overly anxious to spend time with. You want to be “Christian-like,” so you stop and pretend to be interested. As this person begins to get into it, you are unknowingly sending nonverbal messages: you have looked at your watch twice; you are beginning to move away, however slightly, from the person; you are periodically shifting your attention to those around you and as the conversation continues, it happens more and more; you lean away and have unconsciously begun to tap your foot. We seem surprised that this person abruptly ends the conversation and never seeks out our counsel again. We should not be surprised that the outward expression reflects the inward state.

If you think about the term “body language” and apply it to the body of Christ, there are some interesting things to think about:

1. Posture: this involves the movement and position of the body. Posture communicates things like respect, interest and openness to ideas. What is the “posture” of the body of Christ? As a group, what are we communicating to the world?

2. Hand gestures: these are movements of the hands, arms, and fingers and are used to describe and emphasize. What are the hands of the church doing? Are they reaching out or are they pointing in judgment?

3. Body gestures: these are nonverbal signals that are communicated by the moving of the body. Whether it’s nodding the head, using your mouth, or moving your foot, these movements can send either positive or negative signals. What is the world observing? How are the movements, speech or directions of the Church being perceived? Are they positive and uplifting or are they condescending and negative?

Considering the implications of nonverbal communication is a way for the body of Christ to examine their hearts and connect to a lonely world.

Father-God, what messages am I sending? Is my impatience and dissatisfaction with my own life translating to an impatience with those who need Your love and compassion? May the expression of my heart be reflected in the expression of my face.

Check out: Ephesians 3:14-19