06/11/2024
6th November
LISTEN MORE THAN YOU TALK
*"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:* *Everyone should be quick*
*to listen,slow to speak and* *slow to become angry"*
*(James 1:19).*
Effective communication is key in relationships. As we walk with Christ, He requires us to abide by His word and to exercise self-control and regulation in our speech. We should learn how to communicate without sinning with the
tongue. Apostle James, through wisdom as an elder admonished followers of Jesus to control their tongues so that they could only speak what is profitable and necessary. He instructs believers to emulate God by being slow to anger. James 3:1-12 underpins the significance of the words we speak. We gauge spiritual maturity through the way a person speaks. Unfortunately, many people are ignorant of what God's word says on the use of the tongue, and this makes them ensnare themselves and others through careless speech.
Small as it is, the tongue determines a person's success or failure in life. Many people are failures because of the limitations they impose on themselves through careless speech. Our tongues should be used for creative purposes and not for destruction: we should seek divine wisdom on how to use them to build our lives and those of others. To be an effective or fruitful Christian, we ought to do less speaking but more listening.
Further Reading: Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:26-27; Proverbs 18:1: Colossians 4:6; Isaiah 50;4
Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to listen more than I speak so as I can be keen to hear your voice and not sin against You in the multitude of my words. Amen.
Bible study: Mark 13
Blessings π.