JAMES 1:19-21 HOLY LISTENING

19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

It has often been repeated that God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we might spend more time listening than speaking. There is no where that we find this to be more true than in the realm of relationships. We learn more about the other person when we listen to what she has to share and refrain from constantly telling her that what she has just related is like what we have experienced, or perhaps even competitively describing a more intense situation. If we are to practice self-sacrifice in our lives, it needs to start with listening.

Anger is often related to listening. We all know from experience that anger will cut off all listening, and therefore, is devastating to any relationship. Anger comes from and is incubated within ourselves. Many times we see or hear something that threatens or injures us and we internally respond with anger. Our tendency is then to feed that anger internally with previous experiences and imagined motives until it explodes externally into fury. It is very much like dealing with a wound. We are much better off if we deal with a possible infection by immediately applying an antibiotic to the cut than letting it fester unseen until we have to have it lanced by a physician.

For the Christian, listening is an internal attitude; a true giving of one’s self to the other person. A true listener is one who is an eager sponge for all that the speaker is saying. An attentive attitude is one that listens to know the other person and not for any other purpose.

This is the manner in which we are to approach Scripture. We come into the presence of God’s Word, first and foremost, so that we might come to know God as he has chosen to reveal himself to us. The distractions of the world, both external and internal, must be put aside if we are to listen to God and be transformed in to his image. If we really make our intention to listen to God to know God, then we will not have to worry about developing schemes for discipline and calendars for reading his Word.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will enable you to be a God-listener with all your heart and mind.

As I come to your Word, Father, may I focus on listening to what you are telling me instead of the answers I want to learn from you or what I want to tell you. Transform my praying into listening with an open heart and mind, so that my agenda does not drown out your loving guidance and purpose. Help me to allow your Spirit to guide me in my study of Scripture and my prayers so that I might more perfectly know you and obey your will. Amen.