If you are really walking in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, He will highlight different things at different times. As you mature in the faith, He will highlight certain things that He never would have directed your attention to early on after salvation. As you mature, He can have more ‘adult’ conversations with you. When you notice this happening, this is reason to celebrate. How pleasureable, satisfying, and fulfilling it is to know that because you have said ‘yes’ to The Lord and grown, He is able to interact with you on a deeper, more adult level.
For the past 3 or so weeks, I have had two verses on my heart. Here it is:
James 1:19-20 NIV
[19] My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, [20] because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Are you a good listener? Am I? Or am I always finishing people’s sentences for them? Am I interjecting advice before they even finish? Can I listen to someone because I care about them and be ok not giving my two cents worth?
HERE IS THE CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK: Do not give anyone advice, counsel, or your opinion this week unless the person clearly asks for it.
This will challenge your pride, your vanity, your motives, etc. As you do this this week, please feel free to leave comments on this blog. Listening will keep us from speaking quickly and might even help with anger. I wonder if being quick to listen will naturally take care of the other two injunctions?
Jesus, our Lord, Savior, and example, knew how to remain silent. He knew how to listen.
Isaiah 53:7 NIV
[7] He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Who is up for the Christlike challenge?
BJ Condrey, Ph.D. 