Two Ears and One Mouth

Proverbs 17:27 (NLT)    a truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

James 1:19-20 (NLT)      Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

Have you ever heard the expression, “God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we would listen twice as much as we speak?” I heard that one or a variation of it often when I was a child. But then again, I think I needed to hear it often—very often! I think I’ll always remember my third-grade report card because the teacher’s note stated, “Dotty likes to visit with her neighbors.” It was my teacher’s way of letting my parents know how talkative I was in class. The irony is that years later I became a teacher.

However, today’s passage is not just about the balance between listening and speaking. It is also about keeping one’s temper in check. In a way, the two concepts are linked together. When we are too quick to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, misunderstandings often occur, and this can lead to frustration which fosters anger on the part of one or both participants. Taking time to slow down and listen—truly listen—leads to understanding. Understanding what has actually been said enables us to choose words wisely in our response. Now is the time for us, as followers of Christ, to lead by example.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Your word shows us that speaking in haste seldom leads to a positive outcome. Forgive us when we talk too much and fail to listen enough. Guide us to become examples of restraint and understanding, so that in all things, we might draw others to you.

                                                                        In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.