Learn to Listen

I remember hearing a humorous story about an applicant preparing for a very important job interview.  At the time of the interview, the interviewer asked, “Where do you see yourself in the next five years?” To which the applicant responded, “Personally, I believe my greatest weakness is my poor listening”.  

The applicant in this story had so previously rehearsed the answers, that he/she forgot to listen to the questions.  The answer was entirely irrelevant to the question.  

I’m convinced as believers, we too often have our set of rehearsed answers.  We have tendencies to prepare everything we think should be said in advance.  

Whether it’s sharing the gospel with a non-believer, or speaking words of comfort to a fellow believer.

But I found that the most effectual and appropriate answers come from learning to pause and genuinely listen to their die heart questions.  

Doing so, we allow the Holy Spirit to seize the moment and speak directly into the life of the  individual.  

Job and his four friends are a great example.

Job was physically and emotionally hurting.  His four friends came to speak words of comfort.  They failed to take time to hear his questions, and instead, overwhelmed him with previously rehearsed answers (irrelevant theology).  

…I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:…(Job 32:12 KJV)

Job pleads with them, before you speak will you please hear me out?

Listen to what I am saying; that is all the comfort I ask from you. Give me a chance to speak and then, when I am through, sneer if you like. (Job 21: 1-3 GNT)

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting Text 

 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words …(Ja. 1:19 AM)

The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. (Isa. 50:4)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. (Prov. 25:11)