For some people, listening comes naturally because their personality is designed to be less verbal. Others may feel they don’t have anything to supply in a conversation, in order that they listen greater than they talk. After all, God gave us two ears and just one mouth!
Whether we’re naturally calm or uncomfortable in silence and feel like we want to fill every space with words, learning to actually take heed to others is difficult work. But for a follower of Christ, it is crucial to our mission as ambassadors of God and ministers of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 – “And all that is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely that God in Christ reconciles the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and has committed himself to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we’re ambassadors of Christ, as if God were calling through us; we implore you in Christ’s name, be reconciled to God.”
The way we listen can either draw people to God or push them away. Even once we try to inform others about Jesus, we will talk an excessive amount of in an uncomfortable presentation of the gospel. Do we deal with retrieving information and our beliefs without pausing to take heed to people’s questions? Good listening skills may help us decelerate the pace and lessen our anxiety about winning a convert. Instead of continuously talking, we want to take heed to what the opposite person is saying about their heart and where they’re on their spiritual journey, trusting Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit will give us the correct words at the correct time.
Skillful listening tells others that they’re worthwhile to us and illustrates that they’re worthwhile to God. Just as God patiently hears our prayers along with his compassionate heart, so we must learn to listen not only with our ears. Let us humble ourselves to maintain our mouths shut often, and once we open our mouths, allow us to ensure that we speak words on time that bring life, hope, and peace to the hearts of those that hear.
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the facility of the tongue, and those that love it can eat its fruit.”
Image credit: ©Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang
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