MEMORY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 10:8.
BACKGROUND: 2 Chronicles 10:6-8. Many of the troubles we encounter in life can be avoided if we do a bit more listening and a little less talking. Learning to bridle our tongues is what the Bible teaches. When one is a talkative, he or she listens to no one, hears no new ideas or insights and is prone to worshipping his or her own ideology. [Titus 3:9; 1 Timothy 6:20]
NOTABLE QUOTES:
• All noise is waste, so cultivate quietness in your speech, your thoughts, and your emotions. Speak habitually low. Wait for attention and then your low words will be charged with dynamite. (Elbert Hubbard)
• The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause. (Mark Twain)
• The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak. (Baruch Spinoza)
WISDOW THROUGH LISTENING: Proverbs 4:5-7; 11:2; 12:15; James 3:17.
Listening to learn will increase knowledge regardless of who you are in this world. Those who hate silence will hear nothing and they are not mature enough to handle situations or challenges that might have taught them some lessons. If we are going to gain wisdom we must do it by listening to other people.
WILLINGNESS TO BE TEACHABLE: Proverbs 3:5-7; 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
The caution here is not to be too wise in our own conceit, but to listen to God or someone God will send on our way. The danger of these last days is that people will begin to turn their ears away from the truth. Then they will join the group of “ever-learning” individuals that fail because they do not listen enough to acquire the wisdom of God.
WAYS TO GROW YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND POTENTIAL:
Proverbs 9:9; 19:20; 24:6.
The way to grow in our spiritual life is to learn to listen to God and His servants that are sent to preach God’s word. However, there is the danger of heretic preachers and teachers in our world today, beware! We should learn godly wisdom because this world will continue to pose challenges that we cannot solve by our own wisdom alone. Taking counsel from God or godly individuals might save us from many predicaments.