James 1:19 (NCV)
“My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily”.
Reading through the Book of Proverbs the fool is cast in a pitiable frame. But there are two instances where the foolish have an edge. The foolish have an edge over self-conceited people. “The most stupid fool is better off than someone who thinks he is wise when he is not.” (Proverbs 26:12, GNT). The other edge is shown in Proverbs 29:20; and this is the focus here. “Do you see people who speak too quickly? There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.” (NCV).
It is in the light of this that the admonition of James comes to the fore. We are encouraged to listen eagerly, speak sparingly and slowly, and use anger with utmost discretion. The scripture is clear on this: whenever words are many, transgressions are not lacking.
It is discretion not to speak to quickly when we have heard some things. Reason? It is because more often than not, there is the hidden part to most things you hear. And answering a matter before it is fully heard is adjudged to be foolishness. David failed in this at least twice. Ziba the servant of Saul who tended to Mephibosheth joined the sympathy train after David ran from the plot of Absalom. On sighting him David naturally asked for the disabled prince. The servant lied against his boss. In a fit of anger David converted all the estate of Saul to this lying servant. He did not get to know the hidden part of the story until days later at which point he tried to undo the wrong. On hearing Nathan, David in anger passed judgment on the man who cheated a hapless person before he realized he actually judged himself.
Before you speak or get angry, beware of “the hidden part”.
FURTHER STUDY: PROVERBS 19:1-11
PRAYER
Dear Lord, don’t let me self-destruct through indiscretion.