58 Sermon Illustrations on Speech

During the South African War, when that country was under martial law, every letter which was sent home had to pass through the hands of the press censor.

A private in the Yorkshire Volunteers had sent four or five letters home, telling his parents about the doings of the regiment, which portions had been obliterated by the censor, and were therefore unreadable on their arrival at the destination.

He decided to get square with the censor, and at the foot of the next letter he wrote the following words:

“Please look under the stamp.”

“At the censor’s office the letter was opened and read as usual. The officer in charge spent some time in steaming the stamp from the envelop so that he could read the message which he was certain he would find there.

At last his patience was rewarded; but his feelings can be better imagined than described when he read these words:

“Was it hard to get off?”--_Tid-Bits._

There are times and circumstances in which one may well refuse to be pumped of what he knows.

A Scotch laddie was summoned to give evidence against his father. “Come, my wee mon, tell us what ye ken aboot this affair.” “Weel, ye ken Inverness Street?” “I do, laddie,” said his worship. “Weel, ye gang along and turn into the square.” “Yes, yes.” “Turn to the right up into High Street till ye come to a pump.” “I know the old pump well,” said his honor. “Weel,” added the laddie, “ye may gang and pump it, for ye’ll no pump me.”

It’s pretty much an accepted fact that human beings make decisions emotionally, and then back up their emotion-based decisions with logic. We “rationalize”… that is we tell ourselves “rational lies.” And every one else does the same. Often, whether or not people will buy into what we say depends less upon logic, than on how their ego accepts the words they hear from us.

Wouldn’t you agree that, generally speaking, few people truly enjoy being corrected or criticized? I mean, I can’t think of the last time someone criticized me, and I responded by saying, “THANK YOU! THANK YOU, for pointing out the error of my ways.” Yet, in the real world, correcting and critiquing others is a part of life. Your kids didn’t clean their rooms, your spouse overpaid on a negotiable product, your associate mishandled a presentation, your customer is not working with you correctly, etc.

There is one concept above practically all else that makes the biggest difference in your ability to persuade others to your way of thinking and attain the results you desire. It is known by several different words: diplomacy, delicacy, sensitivity, savior faire, and yes, “tact”.

Tact is the language of strength. It is the ability to say something or make a point in such a way that not only is the other person not offended; they are totally receptive. Learning what to say and how to say it will get results for you which will seem just like magic. Every situation you find yourself in, and every time you must call someone’s attention to a particular way of acting, keep “tact” in mind. Tact will be the key to how those people receive you and what you say, and whether that person will ultimately take the action that will benefit all concerned.

How do we utilize tact? First, we consider what we are going to say… before we say it. We edit our speech… before the speech. We ask ourselves questions such as, “How will he or she ‘feel’ about what I’m about to say and how I’m about to say it.”

Take a pretend tape recorder with you over the next 21 days, and “play back” every conversation you have. Ask yourself, “Did I think before I spoke, was I considerate of their feelings?” “Was I gentle in my manner, and was the expression on my face consistent with my words?”

Let’s make an agreement, you and I, that we’ll analyze the way we talk to others for just 21 days. If you feel as though you don’t know the exact right words — no problem. Begin with the right thoughts; the rest will take care of it self.

British factory worker and his wife were excited when, after many years of marriage, they discovered they were going to have their first child. According to author Jill Briscoe, who told this true story, the man eagerly relayed the good news to his fellow workers. He told them God had answered his prayers. But they made fun of him for asking God for a child. When the baby was born, he was diagnosed as having Down's syndrome. As the father made his way to work for the first time after the birth, he wondered how to face his co-workers. "God, please give me wisdom," he prayed. Just as he feared, some said mockingly, "So, God gave you this child!" The new father stood for a long time, silently asking God for help. At last he said, "I'm glad the Lord gave this child to me and not to you."