Listening Talks

James 1:19 KJV 1900

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

I believe the first step toward taming our tongues is to learn to listen.

Listening Communicates

Listening communicates control

Let’s face it, we often fail to listen because we lack self-control. We burst out into speech before we engage our thinking. Why? Because concentrating and giving careful, thoughtful answers is hard. You must be always vigilant of your tongue.

We often see this as a fault when communicating with people, but be careful; sometimes we do the same with God.

Ecclesiastes 5:2–3 KJV 1900

2 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. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

God says its better to not go forward at the invitation and make a false promise than it is to wait, think, and pray about God’s working in your heart. Never promise something to God that you’re not willing to give. He will expect you to back up your words.

Proverbs 21:23 KJV 1900

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 13:3 KJV 1900

3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Listening communicates respect

Ecclesiastes 10:3 KJV 1900

3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

Listening communicates thought

Proverbs 15:28 KJV 1900

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 17:27 KJV 1900

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: And a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Listening communicates humility

Proverbs 29:20 KJV 1900

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 26:12 KJV 1900

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

Listening communicates compassion

Proverbs 18:13 KJV 1900

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 15:2 KJV 1900

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Listening communicates a spirit-filled life

Proverbs 29:11 KJV 1900

11 A fool uttereth all his mind: But a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Proverbs 14:33 (KJV 1900)

33 Wisdom resteth [settles] in the heart of him that hath understanding: But that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Proverbs 10:19 KJV 1900

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Lashing out Corrupts

One of the hardest parts of our being to control is our emotions. We are not to ignore or squash our emotions, we are to subdue them. [You don’t kill the bronco, you tame it, and then you put it to work for you. What was destructive can also have great benefits.]

But our emotions are wild and unpredictable at times. During these moments, it is essential for us to learn to control our tongue and our actions.

As you mature, you will find you have more control over lashing out in anger in a physical way, and you will find that lashing out verbally easily becomes an outlet for your emotions.

But James warns that is a dangerous and costly outlet.

James 1:26 KJV 1900

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Not that his salvation is lost, for salvation is not religion. Rather, our religion is our external works; it is our accomplishments and crowns in service to the Lord. When we cannot control our tongue, we are in danger of losing reward.

A corrupt tongue can destroy!

James 3:5–8 KJV 1900

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Wisdom from God is not emotion-driven, but spirit-led

James 3:17–18 KJV 1900

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

You cannot have these qualities without a willingness to stop and listen.

Practice listening this week and see what you hear! It will serve you well both now and in your future.