James 1:19-20 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
In this fast paced world we live in now sometimes I forget to slow down. Now I’m not near as busy as those with full families all the schedules that go on forever, but I still keep a pretty full schedule. Trying to keep that schedule in my head is part of days gone by. Now I try and write everything down. I try and put everything into my phone and onto a paper calendar. I figure if it is in two places I won’t forget, but I do.
James tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry. That sounds pretty easy but it isn’t. Normally I am trying to think up what to say next while someone is talking to me. I believe a lot of us are that way. Sometimes that leads to not really hearing what is being said. Seems to me everyone wants to be heard and give their opinion on the situation.
I try to really focus on what the person is saying. Stop my mind from wondering onto thoughts of my reply or advice. As James goes on to tell us that anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires it makes me think about what God does want me to do when listening.
Normally as we listen, to another person or God, we gather information. It could simply be that the individual we are talking to needs a sounding board, just someone to vent to and talk through a situation. Other times by listening we find out more about the person, get to know them better.
When we listen to God we learn what He expects of us. What His desires are for us. Who doesn’t want to know God better?
So listen up friends and be slow to reply.
May God Bless
