by Dona Hake
James 1:19 (AMP)
“Understand [this], my beloved brethren.
Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener],
slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.”
This scriptures shows us how important it is to listen carefully, think before we speak, and keep ourselves from stepping into the trap of offense. This verse has a wealth of wisdom in it for us. It also shows us that it is just as important to listen to another’s heart for the unspoken words and feelings they may be feeling. Many times we may feel that we have the right answer for someone yet it is not the appropriate time for that word to be spoken. As we take care to listen, our words spoken will be in the appropriate time and will be edifying to the hearer.
I feel that this scripture also ties beautifully to our meditation from yesterday. I shared with you about your spiritual hearing. We looked at different translations from John 10:27, and each translation basically emphasized the importance of hearing, listening, responding, and recognizing the voice of our Lord. Many times we are not hearing people’s hearts simply because we are not listening and responding to the voice of the Lord as He speaks to us. The more we are in tune with hearing and responding to God, we will find ourselves hearing and responding to people around us in a way that is more Christ-like. Many times we may feel that we know what an individual may need to hear but we need to ask the Lord for the proper season to share it.
Proverbs 25:11 (AMP)
“A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Proverbs 25:11 (AMP)
“A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Listening to someone may be the greatest gift you could give them. Choice words are even a greater gift to one that is in need. After you have listened carefully you will find they will be much more apt to hear your heartfelt and choice response. They will be more likely to take heed to the wisdom that you feel you are to share too. I believe the Lord can help us to guard our tongues that our words will be as choice silver and gold. The heart that listens to God will truly hear and speak a word that is fit and proper for the moment.
Lord, help us this day to become more and more sensitive to Your loving voice. May we learn to hear and respond to it in the way that You are desiring us to. We thank You for those opportunities in which we can be used as Your mouth piece and minister the perfect and proper word in due season to the one that needs it most. In Jesus Name, amen!