My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…
Today James gives us a recipe for harmony: Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. How many situations have gone bad because someone did not listen? Have you ever opened your mouth and stuffed in a foot or two? When your feelings are hurt do you become angry before stopping to figure out what happened?
If I were to chart out all the problems I have suffered in my life, I wonder how many would be the direct result of doing the opposite of what James suggests. Just guessing, I am inclined to think that the answer is upwards of ninety percent.
Think about that for a moment. If you could eliminate ninety percent of all your unhappiness by following these three simple rules, would it be worth it?
What does it mean to be ‘quick to listen?’ It sounds odd, doesn’t it? I’m guessing James means the opposite of being slow to listen. When someone is saying something, being quick to listen means stopping everything else and attending to what is being said.
Of the three things James wants us to take note of, this one might be the hardest. After all, so many people are talking! Some people talk more than others, and some of those people never stop talking. Others hardly say a word and when they talk it is hard to catch what they are saying. Then there are the electronic voices; the words that are spoken over radio, television, podcasts, video, and a dozen other forms of media.
When James says be quick to listen, I don’t think he is saying that you or I have to “listen” to every word we come across. Stopping our lives to listen to every newscast or talk show would preclude everything else. Even with the person who talks all the time, there has to be a point where we say, “Enough!”
I think what James wants us to do is listen to those important voices in our lives. People that we live with, work with, are related to, and worship with. Sometimes we get caught up in the moment. Our focus is on what is going on instead of the people themselves. James says STOP! Stop the spinning momentum of your mind and hold it quiet while you listen to what is being said.
Only when you have stopped and listened can you decide if the words are worth listening to. If they are, then you can hear them better and begin the process of understanding what is being said.
Application: Stop the spinning in your mind when someone else is talking. Listen. Understand what is being said before deciding whether to listen or move on.
Food for thought: What is it like to ‘stop the spinning’ in your mind? Do you have any suggestions that would help others do the same?
Good points Jeff. I also think it is hard for me to listen when I am angry. I think there is an additional tie into this in the context. When I am angry I want to be understood. Sometimes when I am angry I may need to calm my heart by sincerely listening to the other person with which I am angry. If both parties do that while also listening to the Holy Spirit, it may help lead to the righteous life that God desires.
Thanks Rich!
Minutes after writing this post I discovered an application for what James is telling us. Looking through the day’s mail I saw an unsolicited credit card application. I hate those things! Opening the letter I pulled out the application and started to shred it before throwing it away. That was when I noticed that there was a number to call if you wanted to “Opt Out” of these types of mailing. I laughed at myself. I almost missed the Opt Out message because I was too busy throwing it out. I guess James’ admonition to be quick to listen can apply even to junk mail. 🙂
Nice now I’ve got to check my junk mail. But sometimes my head is spinning from thoughts of the past and I find it best to stop the thoughts by reading scriptures or things like this blog.