{Note: I am writing this on Wednesday following my reading of Proverbs 18 but posting it today. The language will be as I wrote it}
One of my favorite music groups from the 60s/70s was Tommy James & the Shondells (Crystal Blue Persuasion is my all-time #1 song). On one of their later albums they had a song that had this phrase: “Talkin’ and signifyin’ and sayin’ nothing.” As I read Proverbs today that song came to me in a flashback. Let me explain. During the summer I decided to take the book of Psalms and journal each chapter by finding at least one verse to comment on. I decided I would do that for the book of Proverbs during November. It has been an interesting ride, to say the least. Today’s verse hit me right between the eyes and brought the song to mind. Here is the verse: “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” [18:2] My comment was this: Am I a listener or just a talker? Do I seek to understand or just to express my opinion? In all honesty there are times I am can be a good listener. But there are also those times when I can hardly wait to express my opinion. It is like I am chomping at the bit to say what I gotta say without really hearing what the other person is saying to me. Know what I mean? And then there are those times that I really don’t care what the other person thinks and express my opinion-sometimes (too) strongly. It is then that I often say nothing worth listening to. The verse says that a fool takes no pleasure in understanding. Yep, that is me…more than I want to admit. And that is when I say absolutely nothing.
How about you? Do you have trouble with this? What is your secret to overcoming this problem defect in your character? Care to share your thoughts?
I need to shut up and listen more. Good reminder.
B: Join the club.
For the most part, I’ve been told I am a very good listener, but there are those moments when my mouth overrides my head & my listening skills go out the window! When those times happen, I admit, I don’t care what the other person has to say, I’m going to get out my opinion…when that happens & I realize what a jerk I was being, I have learned to regroup by saying a prayer that my big mouth would stay closed, then I try to go back to that person & really listen to what they are telling me. Sometimes we just get so busy in our lives, it’s hard to just stay quiet & listen to somebody, we feel as though we have to be the one to make all the “noise”. I have done a lot of praying on this exact subject, just staying quiet, not only about listening to other people, but listening to the holy spirit, instead of telling God I want Him to do this & that, just shutting up and let Him do the talking to me and I be quiet & listen. It’s been quite a lesson for me, my listening skills are improving in my prayer life. Just be still and let God do the talking, I try to remember this when I’m in a conversation with another person too….just be still & let that person(and sometimes it could be from God)do the talking. Have a good Thursday Bill. Thanks for the great thoughts!
Jan: thanks for being so honest! Sure is hard to just be still isn’t it? Glad you are learning!
Thanks for the comments. You have a great day also.
Ouch!
I am dealing with that RIGHT NOW. I work a guy that lives to stir the pot. Latley he has been in a season of major stirring (maybe it is the holidays). Anyway, my natural reaction when dealing with this person would be to spew whatever is in my head usually resulting in my feeling bad that I lost control.
Will be praying that God will silence my tounge and/or give the the RIGHT words to use.
Thanks Bill!
Thanks for the comment Bill. I don’t know if it was on purpose: He lives to stir the pot vs. he loves to stir the pot. I pray for you each day (dangerous prayers) and will add this to my “specific for Bill” list. Thanks for stopping by.
I find myself being told quite quickly by the Holy Spirit, that I need to get over myself before I speak. Unfortunately, I am a very expressive individual. And sometimes while I’m checking my attitude with God and upbraiding myself to be a better listener, and have a more tolerant attitude towards someone, my facial expressions or body language has already said more than I need it to say. God is still working on me. And I’m still letting go of myself, more and more. But I tell ya…it ain’t easy being me. selahV
Boy SelahV: ain’t that the truth: it ain’t easy being me! I have trouble with that and wonder why others just can’t get over it. Then I remember that I don’t get it either.
thanks for stopping by.
I try to listen, but when I feel strongly about something my mouth often speaks before I think and yet I hate when other people do this, so “hello” why do I do it??? And for some reason those strong opinions often come back to haunt me and it turns out that umm perhaps the other people had valid points after all. I know I need to listen more, talk less or at the very least talk less and later!
Lanette: You can join the club on “speaking before thinking.” I suspect we all do this to some extent. I tend to do it often but also am hopefully finding that I am doing it less as I mature (euphemism for getting older).
We all need to listen more. Thanks for coming by and commenting.
I’d much rather listen than speak. I know sometimes I start writing or speaking and I can’t stop, like John Coltrane. But I really enjoy listening to (or reading) people. And if I do speak, I’d much rather give someone a present, or find some common ground to celebrate, than get into an argument. But listening is best.
Ivan: you have the right idea!
I certainly agree with you although I tend to listen last. Thanks for commenting.
Bill, I like maturing better than getting older too
I will agree that this has gotten better with time. Good to know we can change for the better!
Lanette: the sure way to die is to stop maturing. Hopefully as we mature it gets better!
Good to hear from you again.