Sharing a devotional with you on Proverbs 18:13 – Quick to Speak
In Proverbs 18:13, it says, “13 To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.”
When I think about verse 13, it’s actually something so common that we all experience. Sometimes we’re just too quick to speak without hearing fully and completely what the other person has to say. When we don’t have the complete context, when we don’t see the bigger picture, we begin to assume things that may not be true. That’s usually how unwanted arguments arise due to misunderstandings. Scripture describes this as folly and shame.
When we’re quick to speak and slow to listen, not only do we not fully understand the context of the situation, but also have no time to analyse and filter how we want to word things. This happens especially more when someone’s trying to accuse us of something and we become defensive. We become impatient. Whether the things they say are true or not, we tend to jump in very quickly trying to defend ourselves and may even throw insults back. That’s when the entire situation will go out of hand and can continue to escalate from there. Once words leave our mouth, we can never take it back, but thoughts in the mind can still be filtered and transformed. Our battle needs to begin in the mind where we can plan and strategize. Those who go out to war without a good plan or strategy will suffer grave consequences. Let us not be unwise tacticians.
May God give us the patience to wait and listen. May God also give us the self-control to hold our tongue, not to jump in too quickly, but to be a good listener. This will not only help us communicate better knowing the context, but will also help us guard our relationships with one another. Let us all learn to be quick to listen and slow to speak so that we can deal with each and every situation with wisdom and love coming from on high. Let’s use our words to build up, to encourage and to protect one another. May the peace of God be with you always!
Blessings,
Kelsey