Be quick to listen, Slow to speak, slow to wrath

Here is another one of those Scriptures with three secrets hidden inside:

James 1:19 (NLT)

…You must all be quick to listen,

slow to speak,

and slow to get angry.

James 1:19 (The Message)

…Lead with your ears,

follow up with your tongue,

and let anger straggle along in the rear

James is not just giving us a set of rules – he is calling us to a great secret of Christian life. We so easily sin with our tongue – this little part of the body is the source of so much trouble. So many people speak before they think – especially when they are going through difficult things in their lives. It is not the suffering of trials that is our biggest problem – it is what we do as a result of suffering that brings our greatest heartaches. When we speak out of anger or frustration we can get into so much trouble with the Lord and with our brothers and sisters.

There is a progression in these 3 commands –

Listen first…listen often…listen more than anything else. The quieter you become, the more you can hear

Speak only when you have heard…speak only when you have taken time to listen…speak only if you must

Have anger only when you have had time to listen, consider, wait, wait aome more, speak…and maybe then you may be justified in your position…maybe

Prov. 17:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Prov. 29:20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Listen to understand

then speak with love

Be not hasty to speak

nor slow to hear

Pythagoras