Listen To Others

Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:19–20

It is unfortunate that when we think about communication, we only think of the active aspect of communication, which is talking. We ought also to consider the important passive application of communication, which is listening. Experts tell us that it is not easy to teach people to listen, but it is a skill that can be learned. Did you know that in one day approximately 9 percent of your time will be spent writing, 16 percent of your time will be spent reading, 30 percent of your time will be spent speaking, and 45 percent of your time will be spent listening?

We spend more time listening than any other activity, yet I’ve never seen a Christian training seminar that teaches you how to listen. It is possible to go to almost any graduation and see people getting awards for speaking, but I have never seen anyone get an award for listening. Remember the words of James: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (1:19–20).