Lend Me Your Ears

Lend Me Your Ears

I love the Book of James. It’s so practical and instructive as it guides us to more righteous living. From warning us not to be double-minded, to encouraging us to humble ourselves so that God might lift us up. There’s such a wealth of wisdom contained in its 5 chapters.

Since God gave us two eyes, two ears, and one mouth, it surely follows that James would instruct us to “… be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” (James 1:19, NIV). But why does this matter to God? James goes on to say, “… because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20, NIV).

Following James’ exhortation has been a journey for me – a natural talker – to become one who genuinely gets to know and love people better by simply asking open-ended questions. The challenge, proposed by James, is to listen politely to their response, as opposed to chomping at the bit to speak over them for my turn at sharing whatever pearls of wisdom my listener simply couldn’t live without.

The desire to become better at listening than talking has been a new and humbling skill set for me. I have learned the value of genuinely respecting others’ points of view as more important than my own, which, as it turns out, makes me a more effective ambassador for Jesus; one who extends genuine care and interest toward others.

Let us Walk in His Way:

Dear Lord Jesus, please give us the desire and the tools to become more other-centered in our communications. Help us to let You increase as we decrease, while we listen first before interrupting others to share our own points. Listening well prevents misunderstanding, which can damage relationships. I know this is not Your plan for Your children. May we extend your love to others by choosing to listen well, speak less, and honor the worth of points that are not our own so that You may be glorified. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel

author of “Walk in His Way” for

Carry the Light Ministries