In the previous article we mentioned the dangers of reacting to quickly and in a wrong way. Around us we always may have people who would love to see us to jaded, become angry or to be helpless. Some people will try to get us so on our nerves we act in an non-Christian way.
The words spoken too fast or too hard then can at their turn also evoke anger or sadness. The same we may have to hear our or others their words taken out of context. Those words also may be otherwise referred to, may even have a devastating effect.
Problem is that once said, once used certain words you can not alter them any more. The impact of speech and language is greater than we dare accept as true. Perhaps not meant to be hurtful or poisonous the can have a terrible effect like the bite of a scorpion.
In this world we do have learned to speak, but forgot to listen.
As old as politics, the question is asked:
“Please listen to the citizens!”.
Participants in the hall listening to a speaker behind the conference table at the 26th Decentralistiecongres (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The conflict model used by politicians, makes it difficult to really be open to another. They discuss a lot, while of true listening is often not the case. Therefore, there is constant, abundant and widely needed rhetoric to convince the other.
Poor listening is a disease of our time. In the political world there is an increasing noticeably cramped of the fellowship. It results in a kind of lack of oxygen that “listening to each other ‘prevents’ ‘Listening’ starts where talking stops.
When we listen with half an ear we do not hear. It’s about making time, to empathize and give space to the other. It means to hear what the other person says or even more: to hear what the other will not say. You will share his or her experience.
Listening happens for 30% with our ears and 70% with our hearts. The right words can do wonders at the right time, because they can comfort, heal and help liberate. Who has mastered the art of listening, is able to find the right words.
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Preceding articles:
Soft values? Needed heart- and- soul!
For a Dutch version / Voor een Nederlandse versie: Wie luistert, ontwikkelt de gave van het spreken
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Additional reading
- A tongue to speak slowly and well-considered
- A listening ear
- Think before you speak
- Be still and listen
- Listen, or thy tongue will keep thee deaf
- If we view the whole world through a lens that is bright
- Feed Your Faith Daily
- When we love we do not need laws
- Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
- Get up in the morning and pray for the Lord’s blessings
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