The Bible says to be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, and Slow to Anger.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19 NLT
This weekend I was reminded of how easy that is to say but how hard that is to do. If you’d have asked me if I was following this, I’d have said yes, or at least most of the time. I was reminded that I don’t.
As I mentioned in the Love Like Jesus article, we are called to serve one another, especially our family. I was reminded this weekend that serving starts with listening. When I begin to fail at serving, it’s usually because I’m not listening like I should.
I’ve never conscientiously put these two things together but it makes sense. You can’t serve someone if you are not hearing what they need.
The next part of slow to speak can be just as hard as listening. Just because you heard someone doesn’t mean you are processing the information fully before you respond. When the two come together, quick to listen and slow to speak, it’s A LOT easier to control your emotions.
As someone who thinks quickly and can makes decisions just as quickly, slow to speak can be difficult.
I am a work in progress, and thank the Lord He is merciful and patient.
May we all be quicker to listen, slower to speak, slower to anger, and quicker to serve.
Love + Listening – Talking = Service
Great reminder