Listening

I saw a study that said that people think at a rate of about 1200 words per minute but can only talk at about 250 words per minute. We should be able to listen as fast as people talk. Additionally, the study said that most of us have a listening efficiency of 25% (we use only 25% of our ability to listen). So, it’s not that we can’t listen, it’s that we aren’t concentrating, we aren’t paying attention.

When people came to Jesus, He listened. He listed to the Samaritan woman at the well, then He responded. He listened when the religious leaders tested and challenged Him with questions. He listened and startled them with answers. When Christ’s disciples asked things of Him, Jesus listened and provided help for their faith. We need to learn from this.

The benefits of listening are obvious. It makes learning possible. It makes communication possible. It helps avoid unnecessary arguments. It is a way of showing you care. It helps us understand the world around us – and others. Listening makes us better workers, spouses, friends, parents, children, and Christians. None of us would argue with this, yet none of us listens as we should.

Talking Listeners.
Some talk and don’t listen, and when they do listen it is only to have others listen to them. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Ja 1:19). We need to intentionally develop our listening skills – for our own good, and for the good of others. Listen first!

Selective Listeners.
Christ’s enemies listened to Jesus “to catch Him in His words” (Mk 12:14). Listening with an agenda or with our minds already made up will not lead us to God’s truth. We have to set aside tradition, opinion, expectation, and what we want to hear to really listen to God’s word and others.

Inactive Listeners.
Some listen to God’s word and nod assent, but then go and live however they want. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Ja 1:22). Church attendance, Bible reading, and knowing Scripture feels good, but is self-deception if it isn’t put into practice. Jesus lamented, “…why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Lk 6:46). A real listener obeys. Are we listening?      dd