“Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.” James. 1:19. Amp.
One of the biggest lessons to learn in this life, concerns knowing when to be quiet and when you to speak up. For instance, if someone placed in authority over you, is speaking to you, that’s a good time to be quiet and listen to what the authority is attempting to tell you. In order to really hear, you have to stop talking and start listening! Listening and talking at the same time almost always guarantees that you are going to miss important facts and details.
Our text is saying, be a perfect listener! Because the secret of learning starts with listening appropriately. It takes effort, not many folks out there are good listeners. That is why we quarrel alot, because many of us only listen to respond, we don’t listen to hear. Many have formed an opinion already, they only wait for you to speak long enough for them to be able to pour out their already formed opinion. You life becomes better when you become a better listener. You will learn more and speak less.
More so, we live in a busy and hasty age, we like to multitask, so we seem to relegate listening to the background because we all like to speak. Speaking puts you in the spotlight. If you don’t make the choice to slow down and really focus on what God is saying to you through this teaching, you will be shooting yourself on the leg. You must choose between hearing and speaking. Its takes a decision to switch camp. Most of us have perfected the art of speaking, how many people go for training on the art of listening? We are a selfish generation. It’s time to be still and listen. Learn the discipline of not forming an opinion until you hear others out. This is a matter of discipline that I had to work at developing in my life. This you must do too, to get the best from those who matter most to you.
FURTHER READING:
“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” Pro. 17:27.
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” Eccle. 5:2.
DECLARATION:
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you help me to become sensitive to the feeling of others and not just mine. Help me to be a better Listener than speaking. I confess that I am quick to hear what others are trying to tell me, and I don’t interrupt them when they are speaking, I am getting better and better in this area of my life. As a result, I am an effective team player, and others enjoy working with me. In Jesus name, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Proverbs. 20:1-30.
Proverbs. 21:1-31.
Proverbs. 22:1-29.
Proverbs. 23:1-35.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“What You Make Happen For Others, God Will Make Happen For You.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria.
http://www.thefortresschurch.com.
email: info@thefortresschurch.com.
