The benefit of listening (and not talking)

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Leviticus 22:17–23:44 
Mark 9:30–10:12 
Psalm 44:1-8 
Proverbs 10:19

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 10:19 "Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Someone has said that God gave us two ears and only one mouth so that we would listen twice as much as we speak.

Yet, most of us apparently didn't get the memo. We talk much more than we listen.

And that's too bad. Because we typically aren't learning anything when we talk. We really only learn when we are listening attentively to others.

The verse for today further tells us that when we speak too much, we may end up sinning. Maybe we will betray a confidence. Maybe we will spread slanderous gossip on someone else. Maybe we will exaggerate a story to impress others. Maybe we will speak and not care for the one to whom we are speaking (1 Corinthians 13:1). The possibilities of sinning with our speech are endless.

Yet, there is a simple cure. Let's listen more. When you are in conversation with someone, ask an open ended question and then listen. Then ask another question and listen. When people realize that you are a good listener, you will never lack for friends.