Be Quick to Listen 

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19

In James 1:19, we are given a command by God to be swift to listen and slow to speak. However, how often, have we been in violation of this command when our emotions take over or when we have strong opinions about an issue. Are we quick to listen to the other person? Are we willing to hear them out? Do we listen with patience or does our anger mount with each passing second?

The Greek word bradys is used for slow in the above verse. Bradys means to be dull or inactive in mind. To be stupid or slow to believe or apprehend. The notion is to be slow to draw a conclusion that would cause us to react in a negative manner.

When we apprehend someone, it is as if we have arrested him or her for a crime. However, when we wait we open the way for us to perceive or understand their point of view.

This week our challenge is to be stupid in the sense of not swiftly reacting in anger. Deliberately take time to listen with an open mind. Do not be so quick to put others in “check” or to “convict” them of a crime. When you feel yourself reverting to familiar patterns, remind yourself that you are swift to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

| OSC Week 19 |

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