Proverbs 18: 13,15: “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.”
How often don’t we react to situations of conflict or in conversations, and our words come out faster than our brain is understanding and interpreting? Haven’t we all been there? But this proverb holds so much wisdom in the importance of being a wise listener before speaking. It takes humility to be patient with others and to pause and wait for the Holy Spirit to minister to oneself before speaking one’s opinion too quickly. Proverbs 11:2 instructs, “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Listening well, being able to repeat back to someone what you understand they are saying, asking them if that is correct, would be better, so the other person can correct the listener if they are getting it wrong and misinterpreting what they meant in what they were saying. Proverbs 18:1&2 is something to heed as it warns, “Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” God’s Words of truth is always so relevant and gives us instructions, warnings, and teachings, all to apply to our situations in life and to relationships with those we interact with, be it family, co-workers, or anyone else we encounter. So, be a good listener. Learn to ask questions for clarification. Be ready to learn. Ask God to speak words of truth to you as you read His Word giving you additional information. Then the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say. Ask – listen – think through – then give your reply. That is how not to be foolish. Lastly, Colossians 3:12-13 gives wise instruction that Paul taught offering a strategy to help us live for God, day by day in not being foolish: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Lastly, learn to use the pause technique, and be a good listener. It will serve you well in not being foolish as Proverbs 19:2 warns, “Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.”
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