Listening Means not Interrupting

13To answer before listening—

that is folly and shame. (Proverbs 18:13)

Thoughts: The person who knows the answer before hearing the complete question cannot be trusted.  Too many are anxious to give the answer before the question is completed- showing a type of haughtiness and a desire for attention and pride of knowing.  Part of giving the right answer is listening completely.  Somehow we must teach listening.  Listening involves patience and focus.  It means not interrupting, but hearing the person through.  This is very hard, but it is absolutely true.  Good listening allows the person to finish.  The Pharisees interrupted Jesus- they had ears but could not hear.  Being a person of faith means we are more interested in hearing God's will for us than expressing our answers or how we think it should be to God.  God knows all the variables and has a wider perspective.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a good listener.  Give me grace to be patient with the giving of my answer.