Are You a Good Listener?

 

By Andrea Merrell

You should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry.

James 1:19 CEV

I watched a TV show recently where absolutely no one listened. They heard a few words and made assumptions, then either jumped to conclusions and tried to take over or stormed away without a clue as to what was really going on.

Listening—and really hearing what the other person is saying—has become a lost art. We are too full of our own opinions and ideas that we want to jump in and derail the conversation to fix the problem and prove we know more than anyone else. Or else ignore what is being said.

Proverbs says, He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him (18:13 NKJV). The MSG really brings this Scripture home: Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. Ouch!

If we want to build and nurture our relationships, we must learn to listen. To put our thoughts, ideas, and stories aside while others are sharing their own. The Word for You Today gives us five suggestions:

• Don’t interrupt.
• Try to understand their point of view. Don’t assume.
• Don’t rush to conclusions. Keep listening.
• Don’t put them on the defensive by constantly correcting them.
• Validate the speaker. Everyone wants to know their words and feelings have value.

This is an area where we can apply the Golden Rule. If we want others to listen to us, we must first learn to listen to them. We are to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Are you a good listener?

Photo by Alireza Attari on Unsplash