Importance
of listening
Listening
B1
Body language
C1
If standing, stance and posture may show we are open to listening or
not. Do not authoritatively but compassionately.
C2
If sitting, then sit upright, leaning slightly forward, and not
slouching, leaning away, or folding the arms.
C4
Not being distracted by the environment or technology (phones, etc.)
C5
Neutral facial to slightly friendly at times. Be genuine. Don’t
frown or grimace as if looking bored.
B2
Face and eyes
C1
Show attentiveness. Look at them most of the time.
C2
Show respect
C3
Again, the link above has some pictures showing the difference.
B3
Re-enforcement
C1
Don’t interrupt except for
D1
Clarification
D2
Acknowledgement (stating, “OK, I see, I understand, wow, I’m
sorry this happened,” etc.)
C2
Nodding your head once in a while
B4
Believe them
B5
Listening is not giving advice
B6
Some don’ts
C1
Don’t hurry them along
C2
Don’t be doing something else when they are talking
C3
Don’t be judgmental
C4
Don’t correct
Purpose
B1
Love (2nd
summary of the Law)
C1
Luke 10:27 NLT The
man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your
heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And,
'Love your neighbor as yourself.
C2
Romans 13:9-10 NLT For
the commandments say, "You must not commit adultery. You must
not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet." These—and
other such commandments—are
summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as
yourself." Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the
requirements of God's law.
C3
Also see Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31,
Galatians 5:14, and James 2:8.
C4
If we really are going to live according to God’s rules, we must
show this kindness—to
listen to someone.
B2
Respect for others
C1
Matthew 7:12 NRSV In
everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is
the law and the prophets.
C2
1 Peter 3:8 GNB To
conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same feelings;
love one another, and be kind and humble with one another.
B3
Help and assistance for others
B4
There are those, however, you hog your time, talk incessantly, etc.
There is a Scripture for that, too. These people are called
“Compulsive Talkers.”
C1
Proverbs 17:27 NLT A
truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is
even-tempered.
C2
Ecclesiastes 5:2 NLT Don't
make rash promises, and don't be hasty in bringing matters before
God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let
your words be few.
C3
Proverbs 15:1-2 NLT 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.
C4
Politely point out, “Do you mind if I say something?” If they
keep talking, we must just excuse yourself and leave.
C5
A couple of articles that might be helpful (secular source)
How
does God listen?
B1
Attentively
B2
Purposefully
B3
His motive is love and respect
B4
He answers prayer in love and wisdom. (If it seems that He does not
hear, then It might be the wrong time, the wrong situation, the wrong
attitude, sin might be confessed, our spouse is not being treated in
a godly manner, there might be selfish, lustful desires in offering
the prayer, etc.).
Scriptures
B1
James 1:19 NLT Understand
this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen,
slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
C1
Many take this passage to remind believers to listen quickly to God’s
word and do it.
C2
But why “slow to get angry?” To be consistent, one would
understand this to mean slow to get angry at God’s word. This
cannot be correct. Especially when in context of James 1:20 NLT Human
anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
C3
In addition, James 1:21 NLT So
get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept
the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save
your souls.
C4
One of the ways of getting rid of this filth is with God’s strength
and help (grace), listen quickly, speak after listening carefully,
and understand the situation and be controlled in anger.
B2
We want God to listen, shouldn’t we listen to our brothers and
sisters?
C1
Psalm 66:18-20 NLT If
I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have
listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise
God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from
me.
C2
Psalm 86:5-8 NLT O
Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love
for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD;
hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I'm in trouble, and
you will answer me. No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do
what you do!
Application
B1
Listen
B2
We need each other
B3
A few testimonies on the importance of listening:
B4
We pray and God listens. He has taught us to listen to each other.
B5
Take time to listen.
B6
God will help us.
James
4:6 NIV But
he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes
the proud but shows favor to the humble."
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