Controlling Our Mouth: Are We 0 for 3?

It may just be my personality, but I’m not one that is great at obeying a verse that tells me to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Don’t get me wrong, it often runs through my mind that I need to be more of a listener than a talker and more patient with the people I interact with, but it’s often much easier said than done.

I read this verse again a few days ago and was reminded again at the importance of it. I thought we could all be reminded again.

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19

Hopefully, we aren’t 0 for 3 in heading this verses advice…

1. Be A Listener

I can be one of those that is always thinking about what to say next in a conversation. You may know what I mean. You are watching the other person talk, you hear a little of what they’re saying, and you immediately begin to think about what you’re going to say next. I do that all the time. I’m not a good listener. It’s not that I don’t care about others, I certainly do, it’s more that I want to get my point across.

I need to sllllloooowww down and be a better listener.

2. Think Before You Speak

Out of the mouth of babes… I’m still a babe in this capacity sometimes. While I sometimes think through what I’m saying quite well, other times I don’t. As a result, I come across the wrong way or say something that I later regret.

I have to have a filter between my impulse to my lips moving.

3. Don’t Get Angered Easily (not easily offended).

I like to think that I do well with this one… most of the time. One of the most miserable things we can all suffer from is being offended easily. Why? Because often times when we’re offended, we’re assuming things that aren’t true at all (You know what they say about assuming)… so we’re miserable for no reason.

We also have to handle people with grace. Grace and love can cover a lot of anger issues.

So, are you often 0 for 3 with these? Lets get better at this starting today!

Who’s in? Your thoughts?


Comments

6 responses to “Controlling Our Mouth: Are We 0 for 3?”

  1. Yeah, I struggle with application of James 1:19 too…and it’s one of my life verse!
    It’s important for us to realize that when we fully listen, It convey’s to the speaker that we value what they say, whether we agree or not. Not being easily offended convey’s we are mature enough to be okay when someone disagrees with us!
    Thanks for the reminder of how important following this verse is.

    1. You’re welcome. Thanks for sharing!

  2. I think being slow to speak doesn’t always have to mean reacting to what someone is saying, but in general putting a filter on our words. Not too long ago I put in my Facebook status: “We don’t always have to tell everything we know; sometimes we just need to shut our mouths.”

    And I’m like you, Jonathan. I can tend to think about what I want to say next rather than really listening to what the person is saying. I hate that!

    1. Me too! So great to hear from you, Kathy!

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