Weekly Bible Quote 124, School of Truth, read by Andre

Let every man be swift to hear; slow to speak, slow to wrath - (James 1:19)
I strive to have an open mind, a considerate tongue and a peaceable nature

It is surprising how much we can learn when we really listen and how much we gain by trying to understand what others have to convey. It is not necessary for us always to be on our toes, ready with a swift and pertinent response, for this means that we are more interested in our own reactions than in the speaker. The angry retort, the hasty judgment, the careless advice, can all be avoided by pausing for a little reflection. When we allow things to sink in before passing comment often there is no conflict, only agreement.

Ponder the deeper significance of a friend's outpouring of confidence and gain time to assimilate the facts and then you will be able to offer the counsel he is seeking or the comfort he needs. To be a good listener requires participation and is an active, not a passive, function.

This pausing, this weighing up, this refusal to react in a negative emotional way inevitably makes one 'slow to wrath' and engenders a more balanced and tolerant attitude.

The Path of Truth Jul/Aug 2010, p. 230.