Scripture Reading - James 1:19-20 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear , slow to speak , slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
I can remember very clearly one of the sayings of my second grade teacher, Mrs King. She would say, "If you listen, you have the opportunity of learning something new, if you talk, you are sharing something you already knew." Mrs. King knew the value of listening, it opens the door to knowledge. This has been a life long lesson that was introduced to me 37 years ago. Today's scripture reading reinforces her saying with the greatest possible force, the Word of God.
Let's take a moment to look at the teachings in today's reading. "Let every man be swift to hear." tells us we should actively seek to hear from others. Sometimes the very best thing we can do for someone is to just be quiet and let them talk. I was in need of that very thing yesterday. I was having a very hectic day. My focus on the Lord wasn't very good, the worst it had been in weeks. I was focusing on some personal issues that had arisen instead of concentrating on intimacy with the Lord. I was stressing to say the least. It seemed that every delivery (I work as a UPS driver) I made was like pulling teeth. I was so anxious to take my break for lunch. I took my break at the library where I usually meet up with my best friend, Drew. As usual, he was there going over some lesson plans we have been working up to teach in the Wednesday Bible Study at our church. Drew just listened to me as I shared with him my lack of focus and my frustrations. He was quick to hear, and that was exactly what I needed. God blessed me through Drew's willingness to listen. We must always be willing and ready to listen.
The practice of being slow to speak is a great quality to develop as well. We need to think before we speak, prayerfully choosing our words. By doing so, we are able to discern the situation, and then allow God to speak through us. When we are in a confrontational situation, being slow to speak allows our anger to subside to the point where our words help the situation as opposed to making it worse. One of the worst things we can do is just start spouting off words without thinking. I think of when the Pharisees brought the woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery before Jesus to see what He would do. As they accused her before the Lord, Jesus was very slow to speak, choosing instead to doodle in the sand. What an impact His words, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." had. We need to practice being slow to speak.
Hopefully I will consider these words and apply them in my daily walk with Christ. Be Blessed and Live in the NOW
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My blessed Christian mother had a saying that I think fits perfectly here...."Think twice, speak once." She was such a wonderful person, not only to me as her daughter, but everyone that she came in contact with.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was not an educated woman, but people were drawn to her almost like an advisor and I believe that it was because she was a living example of these verses that you've quoted. She listened to them, loved them and put them before herself, just as your friend Drew did.
I need to take these verses and my mother's example more to heart everyday. It seems that I've been experiencing this very thing lately in my life....I need to talk less, listen more. Confession is good for the soul, right? :)