“Therefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,slow to speak,slow to wrath”.
James 1:19
Yes, it is the secret of effective communication. Our words are double edged and cause life and death, blessings or curses, benefits or harm. We need to listen not just with our ears but with our hearts and minds. If we listen like that our speech slows1 down. Then we will get the time and space to choose our words carefully. We must use our lips and words to preserve and enhance life. Our speech should be salted with grace and truth, humility and authority. Speaking though and rashly are fools doing according to scripture.
Colossians4:6 says that” Let your speech always be with grace ,seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Our speech should give others hope, confidence, understanding, wisdom and faith.
Along with slowing down our speech we should restrain our emotions like anger. It is written that anger rest in the bossom of fools.Ecclesiastes7:9 says that,” Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rest in the bossom of fools”.
We must control anger by the reins of self control and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Slowing down is needed for allowing time for processing inputs, and for filtering the thoughts and words. Our ears are always open. They are the mouths to feed our mind and heart. Primary way to increase our wisdom, knowledge and understanding is through hearing His Word.
Words are powerful. God used words to create the Universe. We should listen to understand the words of others, to know their feelings,thoughts,and motives. We should listen not only with our ears but with our eyes, spirits and minds. Jesus listened with sensitivity and Compassion .He could know the afflicted woman’s need and touch even in a great crowd. We have a tendency to speak swiftly and angrily without listening properly. It is due to our egos.
Like reins control a horse we need to have an invisible rein on our tongues. We need to develop some filters so that the words comes out as pure and full of wisdom. Scripture says that we will be judged for every careless words we speak. We should display love, grace and goodness of the Lord. Ephesians 4:31 says that,”Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father give us the wisdom and grace to enable to control our tongues and temper .
In Jesus name I pray .
Amen
Sol.Gigi Jacob