Proverbs 18:13. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Answering before hearing. Who among us doesn’t do this all the time? We all try to answer or respond without having heard everything the other person has to say. We all make judgments without listening to others first. We all make choices without listening to all the options.
Some of us think that a quick retort and a fast answer are the signs of intelligence and cleverness. But not according to this proverb. Rather, they are the mark of folly and shame, of stupidity.
And what about interrupting. We all are prone to interrupt others, not letting them finish their thoughts. Some of us are professional interrupters. The interrupter is rude. He doesn’t let the other person finish what they are saying. Again, this person is not smart, they are dumb, foolish, shameful. Why? Because on a deeper level they are full of pride. They think that they know more than the person who is already talking.
You remember from yesterday’s proverb that God hates pride, and the proud are on a path of destruction. But humility is honored by God. And the same is true in our human relationships. When you answer without listening, when you interrupt all the time, you are on a path of destroying your friendships. But when you take the time to listen for understanding, when you respond with questions before statements, such humility will earn you a place amongst the best of friends.
Many Christians live this way in regards to God’s word. They live their entire lives giving answers without listening to Christ in his word and by his Spirit. What folly. What shame. They choose to go through their Christian life without the wisdom of the gospel as their guide.
Jesus told us in his parable of the soils that the wise person is the one who hears, holds on to what they hear, and then bears fruit from what they hear (Luke 8:15). Does this describe you? Do you not only listen to Christ, but also hold on to what you hear? Do you internalize it? Apply it? And then does it bear fruit for the Lord?
In Christ all of that is possible. Christian, you don’t have to be a shameful fool. You don’t have to go through life without listening to the wisdom of your union with Christ. No. You can hear the gospel, hold on to the gospel, and bear the fruit of the gospel all by the Spirit of Christ living in you.
What is that fruit? Wise listening that’s what. Listening without interrupting and without quick and clever answers to our own shame.
You: Are you an interrupter? Do you respond to others without thinking?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ humble us enough to become hearers of God and others without quick responses?
Christ in you: Practice being a good listener today without giving quick answers.
Pray: Father, I want to listen to you by your Spirit and by your Son. Give me ears to hear the gospel over and over again, fresh and new each time. Let my heart hold on to it so that it changes me. And let the fruit be my ability to listen to others without foolish interrupting and prideful clever answers. Amen.
To Live is Christ 