There is a verse in the Bible I want to cultivate in my life see below?

Question

I know that in the book of James in the NT it says be quick to listen slow to speak and slow to anger. I want to cultivate or make my self more like this. I LOVE to talk and I admit I do talk too much, but my goal at my next care group is to listen much much much more than I talk.

I moved to a new area and I love meeting people and am very outgoing but I want to know also how to balance that out by also having an inner quiet spirirt. I am slowly meeting new friends but my care group is the only time I really get to voice my opinion and share about the Lord.

How do you find balance and godly harmony with what I listed above thank you in advance for posting and peace be with you and be blessed.

Answer 1

Listening is usually a learned skill. Most of us have so much to share that even when someone is telling us something, we are so busy thinking of the next thing to say we don't ever really hear them. Listening takes focus. Look the speaker in they. Decide that they are going to say something very important to you and you don't want to miss it. Don't be distracted. Don't look away. Don't interrupt. One thing that bothers me is if I talk about something and someone interrupts with their "better" story or "worse" problem. The one thing in all relationships that keep it strong (in my humble opinion) is putting others first. Save your story for when they ask, or they have stopped talking. If you take the time to learn about others and their needs, you will make friend quickly in your new place and find a peace unlike any you have ever experienced.

Answer 2

Since I don't really know you, it would be hard to address all of the things you asked about in your question. So I'll just answer what I know about listening.

When someone speaks, don't even THINK about answering, just listen. Most of the time, when someone speaks, the "listener" spends about 10 seconds listening, and the rest of the time thinking up a response. Don't do that, just listen.

When you do respond, if a response is needed, then mirror what that person said ... something like "so what you are saying is..." and then repeat what they said. A lot of times the person talking only wants to let it out, they don't really expect an answer (women especially).

I know this because I've practiced it a lot and you'd be suprised what people think of you simply for not responding to them lol ... they tell me "oh you are just so smart" or "you help me so much" and I didn't do a dadgum thing! lol

Answer 3

You can practice true LISTENING. This is a really good way to learn. Ask people open-ended questions about how they are, how was their day, what do they think about this or that, how are they feeling, etc. and then just sit back and really listen. Don't be thinking in your head about what you're going to say next while they are talking, just keep your mind quiet and listen to them.

Then when they come to a break or a pause, you can ask them further questions about whatever they have been saying, and continue to REALLY LISTEN without allowing your mind to wander into what you think you'd like to say or anything else.

When they are ready, they will in turn ask YOU what you think of anything they've said - try not to be judgemental of them or what they've said, but only stick to the subject matter.

Also, don't try to solve their problems, don't offer advice unless they specifically ASK for it. Just listen to what they say and occassionally nod your head, keep eye contact so they know you are interested, etc. Let go of any notion that you HAVE to be in control of how the conversation goes, and let THEM do that.

Doing this after some practice will give you a really good balance within yourself, you will become very observant of things and people around you and how they feel, you'll get a good strong sense of your own centeredness too and your own personal well-being.

Answer 4

How do you find balance and godly harmony with what I listed above"

One step at a time. Practice thinking about what a person is saying before you reply. Don't be in a hurry to get your response in. Practice active listening where instead of making a comment you ask a clarifying question. Be more interested in finding out about the other person than in telling them about yourself.

Answer 5

I find that it is best to always meet people where they are. This means a lot of time and open ended questions and a lot of listening! No Judging just listening.
Also remember that- you already know what you know so it is wise to listen to what others know, think, feel about a subject. You may get some new incite about not only yourself but about them that will help you minister to them.
Make it on their level. Some may need you to plant seeds others need you to cultivate them.
Whatever you do seek God's guidance and direction and it will surely be blessed.

Answer 6

I merely choose to renowned if the atheist can honestly furnish the terrific answer as they're so confident that God did no longer create existence? - i'm able to instruct that the biblical version is a fantasy. All of genesis became plagiarized from the Sumerian pills having no longer something to do with deities so "god turning out to be existence" is a fantasy. - As to proving the place existence got here from, we settle for a organic technique considering the fact that that has evidence. A deity magically forming existence is a fantasy considering the fact which you have yet to instruct a deity exists and that what youi use as a evidence is a properly shown fantasy. - There you have somewhat evidence and evidence and no hypothesis.

Answer 7

"Slow to speak" doesn't refer to speaking a lot it refers to thinking about what you say before you do. Often, we don't really listen and then talk right out and insult someone or hurt their feeling. I think it's great though that you want to practice your listening skills. Those are always very helpful. Make sure you listen and hear what the person says, then think before responding. I'm a very quiet person and have the desire to be more outgoing. It's taken me years and I think I'm at a level comfortable to me. It just takes time. Pray and be yourself.

Answer 8

psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight oh lord my strength and redeemer.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
19 In vv. 19-21a, James is attempting to clear the way for the reception of God's truth (v. 21b). He begins by calling for the readers' attention: "Take note of this." The reception of the Word demands a readiness "to listen" Reluctance at this point will block the acceptance of truth. It also demands restrained speech. A continual talker cannot hear what anyone else is saying and by the same token will not hear when God speaks. Finally, the restraint of anger is demanded, for anger closes the mind to God's truth. A fiercely argumentative attitude is not conducive to the humble reception of truth.

Answer 9

(Proverbs 17:27) Anyone holding back his sayings is possessed of knowledge, and a man of discernment is cool of spirit.

(Ecclesiastes 10:14) And the foolish one speaks many words. Man does not know what will come to be; and that which will come to be after him, who can tell him?

(James 3:2) For we all stumble many times. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle also [his] whole body.

Keeping in mind that holding ones tongue is the course of wisdom in most cases, can help you to put forth greater effort to control your tongue. Speaking too quickly, we are more likely to say something that offends or hurts another. Even in situations where you are eager to share your faith with someone, listening carefully to them first will help you to know which scripture will be more likely to have an impact on them.
Keep in mind too that it is something you will have to work at continually because of what James 3:2 say.

Answer 10

Boy, tough question. Good for you for desiring to be more Christ-like.

Short answer: you just do. Consider what it would be like to be the person in front of you. Would you desire to listen to what you are saying? Is it just filler, or are you trying to get attention by speaking? If it is meaningful and edifying then speak, otherwise, listen.

Easier said than done, I know.
Pray about it.
Grace and peace,
Jen