The Importance of Listening

17:5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;

    he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Today’s Proverb grants us an amazing insight into ourselves.  A question pops into my mind: How do we receive bad news that involves others? I might even ask the flip side of that question: How do we receive good news that involves others? 

Have you ever been delighted when bad things happen to others?

Have you ever, through the fuel of jealousy, rejoiced in another’s misfortune?

Have you ever, secretly, watched and waited for the fall of another? 

Human nature pits us against each other, competing for the brass ring.  God’s economy has ample supply for each of us to acquire, His God-ordained brass ring for our own lives. In order for the Bride to operate as a functioning Body, we must rejoice in each other’s success and mourn in each other’s grief. We must encourage and edify each other and stop tearing each other down.  This starts with our speech, and our ears. What are we releasing and what are we ingesting? 

Let’s pray:

Lord, help us to slow down enough to concentrate on the words that we speak and the words that we allow in.  Help the things that don't align with Your Spirit be an affront to our senses, unappetizing and empty.  Help us to rework words so that they speak life.We  trust that You will  rework thoughts so they don't spin into self hatred and criticism and help our ears discern motivations behind the spoken word.