Listening- Why listening to others is important

A well seasoned person knows how to listen to others. We receive insight and knowledge on things we do not know about. This is especially helpful when you want to evangelize to people, by shining God’s light unto others. James 1:19 says “be quick to hear and slow to anger.” A very well known verse that is said in vain because most of us do not practice listening. In the KJV the word quick is translated to swift, which means quick, sharp or imminent. In Spanish it says “pronto para oir” which means to be ready to hear, listen attentively before speaking. We need to respect the speaker. Being a sharp listener is practicing biting the tongue and focusing on the person and letting them finish speaking. Proverbs 18:2 says “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” A wise person wants to understand but not the fool. Proverbs 21:23 says “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” The point to reaching people is not to debate but to step into the minds of others. We can’t assume we know everything about a person by the labels they identify with. Most of the time those labels mean nothing when their theology contradicts the foundational aspects of these labels. For starters we need to break away from those labels (Romans 12:2 “do not conform to this world) and Identify with God. Galatians 2:20 tells us “It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” We are a new person in Christ and Romans 6:4 affirms this, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Our life is no longer ours but Christ when we submit to him, as it mentions in Romans 6:18, “ being then made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” We are called to be selfless not selfish, which Jesus Christ demonstrated perfectly.

How do we reach others by listening?

Listening should be a foundational aspect of our walk with Christ. We serve others by listening to them. We are told  to share each other's burdens, Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” The law of Christ is to love one another and lending an ear is love so that others can be heard. Paul also states in Romans 15:1, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” By bearing each other's burdens we are doing the work of God. God listens to us so, as servants of the Lord we should extend that love to others so they can experience Christ. By listening we are able to effectively share the Gospel with others. By understanding the other person we can break down the Gospel so that the other person can receive the knowledge that was given to us by the holy spirit. Not to be confused with watering down the words which takes away the meaning of scripture. But it is being able to articulate the teachings so that even a child can understand. We are to give advice and edify one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”)

Why should we lend an ear?

We feel good when we are listened to. This world is full of quick thoughts and situations. We are quick to insert our opinions when it is not needed. Pointing out others wrong doings before we fix our own. Jesus teaches us to make righteous judgements (Matthew 7:4-5) Helping ourselves before we help others so that we may not jump to conclusions. We need to get out of our heads and start diving into the minds of others who may be hurting. If we want people to hear us we need to practice listening to others. Luke 6:31 states “ As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” It’s hard to not correct people in the moment when they say something you don't agree with. Trying not to cut them off to preach at them. It is all pride, the heart becomes prideful that a film is cast over your eyes where you can’t see your own sins. Romans 12:3 “I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement.” Let us be humble and show grace and mercy unto others. 

How to be an attentive listener

Ask questions to get a deeper understanding. Ask the right questions to get the brain thinking. Reiterate what has been said to make sure you understand them well. This will also signal to the speaker that you are listening and they can correct you if you get what they are saying wrong. Of course it is all easier said than done, that doesn’t mean to let your tongue loose because you cannot hold it in. Remind yourself it is better to stay silent than cause yourself to look foolish. (Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” ) In Ecclesiastes 3 the writer says there is a time for everything, Including a time to speak and a time to keep silent. It is biblical wisdom to know when and when not to keep silent. Just in Proverbs alone Solomon’s wise teachings shows the foolishness of men who do not keep quiet. Proverbs 18:13 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 21:23 “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Proverbs 15:28 “the heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poured out evil things.”

Why I wrote this

Suicide is in the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States. We are in a loneliness epidemic because we are conditioned to stay in our lane. To not care for others unless they care about you. There’s an exchange when it comes to relationships with an expectation that it should be 50/50. Since 2000’s the number of suicide deaths per year has increased by 63% in 2024. The death toll from suicide isn’t shrinking but increasing year by year. With a rough average of 49,000 deaths in the past 4 years. Many do not feel safe sharing their thoughts, do not have an outlet to vent to, or feel like a burden to others. They smother their thoughts with substances that will ease the pain. Our selfish nature blocks us from actually helping those who need it. Especially those who don't have God or a church body to run to. It is important to let others be a burden and take up space so they do not internalize everything and begin to die inside. Always check on those who need extra love. Show them that God sees them, just how God saw us in our brokenness. We are to reflect Christ and be a beacon in the darkness. Where words fail our actions speak. We meet and find Jesus in those who are suffering in this wicked world. 

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:34-40

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Thanks for reading! It’s National Suicide Prevention Month. Let’s save a life by listening to others. We are a body with many members and we all have different tasks. We all wish we had the right words to say to people but sometimes all a person really needs is to be listened to. So take the time to hear others even when you FEEL like no one takes the time to listen to you. God listens and he’s there for us so don’t forget that!