3. Rule # 3 - Pause
Be quick to listen... slow to speak....
We are in our current political divisiveness because of what’s being said!
Have you said something in haste? In anger?
James says... “Indeed, we all make many mistakes...For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God (PAUSE.... THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH YOU, ARE MADE IN GODS IMAGE!). And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”
James 3:2-12 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/jas.3.2-12.nlt
James Madison... As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. James Madison
I have a hard and fast rule when it comes our news media and our politicians.... Don’t take what they say seriously but take what they do seriously.
I don’t trust them!
- Politicians want to get re-elected....
- News media has a bottom line... profit!
- Social media has algorithms that put me in a bubble that feeds me information that I will most likely agree with... because they want to keep me clicking and scrolling!
- And... fear sells... bad news sells... and you will most likely stay tuned in if you agree.
Pause....
- is it true? Ask two questions when you hear something?
1. What is their bias?
2. What is their agenda?
- Am I getting the whole story?
- Will my response be productive?
- How will it be received?
- Am I angry in my response?
- What is my goal in responding?
- Have I listened?
- Am I putting the other person first?
- Have I prayed about my response?
- Is there wise counsel I can seek?
“The one who guards his words guards his life, but whoever is talkative will come to ruin.”
Proverbs 13:3 NET
“Do you see someone who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Proverbs 29:20 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.29.20.net
“The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.”
Proverbs 21:23 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.21.23.net
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.18.21.net
“The one who gives an answer before he listens – that is his folly and his shame.”
Proverbs 18:13 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.18.13.net
“The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.”
Proverbs 18:7 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.18.7.net
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.”
Proverbs 18:2 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.18.2.net
“The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning. Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.”
Proverbs 17:27-28 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.17.27-2...
“Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!”
Proverbs 17:7 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.17.7.net
“A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:23-24 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.16.23-2...
“The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.”
Proverbs 16:21 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.16.21.net
“The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.”
Proverbs 15:7 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.15.7.net
“Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.”
Proverbs 15:4 NET
https://www.bible.com/107/pro.15.4.net
“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.”
Proverbs 15:1-2 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/pro.15.1-2.nlt
