“Humble Listening”
Throughout the month of February we have been discussing humble speech. I hope you have been encouraged and challenged to let your speech be filled with love, truth and life.
Today we take a step away from speaking and I want to talk to you about listening. The Word of God may speak more about listening than speaking. Therefore we also need to be humble listeners. Let’s take a look at the Book of Proverbs, what can we learn?
Proverbs 25:10-12
10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
11 Timely advice is lovely,like golden apples in a silver basket.
12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
Many of the chapters in Proverbs were written by King Solomon. I find it funny and interesting that so many of the descriptions and comparisons used by him were shiny things. Although Solomon had incredible wisdom his attention and heart were distracted by wealth. I simply say this to remind all of us to keep our eyes on Jesus or we will get distracted and drift away.
In verse 10 Solomon addresses gossip, this is a problem with our speech. But in order to gossip someone must be willing to listen. Gossip is a sin, for the speaker and the listener. It is a sin that has the potential to destroy someone’s life but we also see it can destroy your reputation. When someone begins to speak about someone else in a negative, unloving way, STOP THEM! If you continue to listen you are part of the gossip and it has the potential to ruin your reputation!
In verse 11 and 12 we see that timely advice is lovely and valid criticism is like gold. (Valuable) Are you willing to listen to wise advice and criticism or do you get defensive? Not all advice or criticism comes in love (we all need to do better in this) but in my experience most comes with some truth. We should humble ourselves, listen and let God’s Spirit living in us discern the words spoken. Many times God will use these words to teach and guide us. Don’t ignore the work the Lord maybe doing.
Being humble listeners is extremely important. Not only should we listen to the Lord but we should also be willing to listen to one another. If we all submit our words to the Lord and use them to build one another up. Our advice and criticism will be given in love for the good of one another!
I love you all, thank you for reading! Have a super, blessed day!
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