Hear; Speak!

Hear; Speak!

James 1:19 AMP

[19] Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];

James was writing to the twelve Hebrew tribes of Israel, which had found themselves scattered all among the Gentiles. Persecution and trouble had led to this dispersion, and many of the Jews in those days found themselves amongst people they may not have wanted to associate it. This is the thing about God: He has several ways to teach us the lessons He wants us to learn. He can do this the easy way by other people's experiences, or the hard way by our own trials and tough times. However God chooses to bring us to the place of our purpose, it is very critical that I do not waste the experience, or strive to achieve the divine with the help of the fallen human nature. This is why the demand in the verse above is not for just about anyone; it is for those who identify with Jesus. That is the minimum standard that will drive maximum impact. 

The counsel in the verse above has multitude applications. Whilst on earth, we will all hear, see or feel many things, depending on our capacity. However, it is not everything that our human senses perceive that must elicit an outward response. The mouth is able to taste and define what is sweet or bitter, and it is also used for speaking, but the verse above makes it clear that I am not permitted to speak about everything that comes to my attention. I will hear a lot of things, both true and false, yet I cannot afford to express an opinion about everything that I hear. I will also see a lot of things, both physically, emotionally and spiritually, but the same principle applies: I cannot afford to react all the time based on what I see. Not everything is as it seems at first glance. Not everything is as predictable as black and white. Life is not really defined by being right all the time, but doing what is right in the sight of God at all times. 

How do I do that? The verse above makes a recommendation on the ratio of hearing to speaking and to reaction. Life is full of curve balls and unpredictable moments. It is good to be patient to hear as much as you can, from all that matter, before you decide on a response. Pausing before reacting allows time to fully process, and then decide on a response that glorifies God. After all, the verse is addressed to people who claim to know and follow God. Before I speak, I weigh my words carefully to determine if it will benefit those who will hear me. I take care not to lash out in anger over things I cannot control, knowing that my anger will not change what God will do, but will negatively impact those who God has placed in my path to be touched by His hand upon my life. Being slow is good, if you are sure that God is the One pushing your buttons. Is He doing that for you? God's time of favour is here.