Let Us Listen
“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” -- James 1:19
Teamwork is essential to success. A basketball player cannot win without teammates to play with. A sprinter cannot cross the line first without the eye of a coach to teach and correct.
No one wins a game, match, or race alone, and solid relationships within that team are primary. Competitors sometimes use the word "chemistry," or say that the team needs to "gel." A team can be loaded with talent, but if the "chemistry" is off, it will hurt their chances of winning.
How can we improve the chemistry of those we play with? How about our relationship with God? James 1:19 gives us three things to help us.
First, listen. It could be a coach giving us instruction or a friend needing help, but if we allow them to speak to us, it shows love and respect for them.
Second, be slow to speak. You don’t always have to say something in response. If you do, think out your answer.
Thirdly, don’t get angry easily. James 1:20 says, "Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires."
These are simple and important ways to reflect God and His love to others. If we hear each other out and be loving in our responses, our relationships will only get stronger.
- Have you ever been too quick to answer a friend or teammate? What happened, as a result?
- How do you feel when your team listens to you?
"Father, thank You for hearing me, even when I don’t always hear others or You. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
