If one gives an answer
before he hears,
it is his folly
and shame.
Proverbs 18:13 ESV
Solomon says listen first.
But if I answer first, something falls on me.
Folly, foolishness, and shame.
These are not small things.
Makes you wonder if Solomon had made a decision, a judgement, without hearing.
Maybe he'd let his own biases get in the way.
James said be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.
When I reverse that I not only look do or say foolish things, but some kind of shame is mine too, because I've answered first.
Made a judgement first.
Sometimes when you're speaking I've stopped listening and thinking about what I want to say.
I've made a judgement that what you are saying is less important than me.
Ouch.
Lord, help me to listen as an act of love, to wait, to hear. Help me not to judge by my biases, but to be in tune, in step with You, to not be so interested in my own answers, but in representing You in some way.
Amen.
#proverbs
#wisdom
#somethingtochewon
#listen
#loveoneanother
#bepresent
#quickslowslow