Day 11: Quick to Listen—Slow to Speak

My dear friends,
you should be quick to listen
and slow to speak or to get angry.
If you are angry,
you cannot do any of the good things God wants done. 
(James 1:19-20, CEV)

Reflection

We live in an angry world. To some extent this has always been the case, but in recent years anger and division have intensified. Why is this so? The simple answer is social media. The algorithms reward anger, outrage, and hate. And there is no need to hold back. We can spew our bile and indignation anonymously.

In addition, these social media algorithms can shield us from hearing other viewpoints—contrary viewpoints. We are fed a steady diet of news and opinions that re-enforce our existing perspective. So rather than opening us to the wider world, this technology can make our world narrower. We become less tolerant of others, and more self-centered.

Into this fractured world James speaks:

My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry (James 1:19, CEV).

Am I quick to listen? Not always. All too often I do the exact opposite of this verse. I am slow to listen and quick to get angry. My short fuse demonstrates my self-centeredness, and my reluctance to listen may reveal my low opinion of others.

Good listening is a skill of immeasurable worth. It shows we value others. Marriages breakdown when partners stop listening to one another. Social cohesion and national cohesion break down in the same way. And when listening breaks down anger follows.

Our anger can thwart the plans and purposes of God for our lives and the lives of others. James makes this truth clear with these words:

If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things God wants done (James 1:20, CEV).

The New International Version translates this verse as follows: human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:20, NIV). In other words, our angry outbursts short circuit the purposes of God. Knowing this should cause us to temper our temper.

Finally, we need to listen with more than our ears. You and I need to listen with our hearts. Often beneath the angry words beats a wounded heart crying out to be heard.

Let’s be good listeners today.

Response

Lord God, I acknowledge that I need to become a better listener. Help me to honor those around me by truly hearing what they have to say. Help me to avoid lashing out in anger. Lord, you are patient with me. Help me be patient with others. Holy Spirit, guide me. Amen.

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