James 1:19

James was well aware that the normal inclination of human beings is to speak too much and listen too little. It’s worth reflecting for a moment on why this is the case. Listening is really hard work. It’s certainly much more demanding than speaking. When we give our full attention to another person, it requires a great deal of concentration and, if we do it for long, it can be exhausting. But when we listen to someone else, we are showing our care and love for them in a profound way.

James certainly wasn’t asking his readers to be mute! It is good and healthy for us to speak, but we would all do well to make sure we are disciplined in the way we speak - and ensure we are constantly improving our listening skills. In recent years, there has been a mushrooming of listening courses. They perhaps don’t teach anything that is brand new to any of us, but they do encourage us to reflect carefully on the process of listening, and can help us become increasingly attentive to others. I’m sure all of us could benefit from going on such a course.

James also commands his readers to be slow to get angry. Proverbs 14:29 says: “People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” There are, of course, things which make all of us angry. The question is: What do we do with that anger?

If we fail to control it, it can cause a great deal of destruction. John Scholasticus, a monk who lived on Mount Sinai in the 7th century, said: “As long as anger lives, she continues to be the fruitful mother of many unhappy children.”

It is vital that we seek God’s strength to control our listening, speaking and anger so that we are only ever building his kingdom and not destroying it.

QUESTION

What do you need to do to become a better listener?

PRAYER

Lord God, help me to become better at listening so that I will share more of your love with others. Amen