1997-09-97 - Listening

The Bible teaches us that listening is crucial. We are to listen to God, to listen to wise teaching, to listen carefully before speaking. Oh what pain we could save ourselves and others, if we sometimes spent more time listening and less talking.

Isa 48:12 (NRSV) Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last.

Mat 11:15 (NRSV) (Jesus said) Let anyone with ears listen!

John 10:16 (NRSV) I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Eccl 5:1 (NRSV) Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice offered by fools; for they do not know how to keep from doing evil.

Prov 5:7 (NRSV) And now, my child, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

Prov 12:15 (NRSV) Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.

Prov 13:1 (NRSV) A wise child loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

James 1:19 (NRSV) You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.