My cousin Mark and I have been reading through the Bible daily for some time now. We take turns picking which book to read and then read the same chapter each day. It has been a blessing to me, as I know it has been for him. Currently we are reading through the book of Proverbs.
In doing these daily reading, I have some days where nothing makes sense and some days where one or more verses just speak to me in a way that only God can make happen. Today was one of those days. While reading through chapter 15, the following verse struck a cord:
Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. Pro 15:32 ESV
This verse spoke to me. One who ignores instruction despises himself. Those are some heavy words. The way I see it, there is always someone smarter than me, so I should always be open to hear others ideas - I just might learn something new. If you are a know-it-all or not open to hearing what others have to say, you really are doing harm to yourself.
In order to receive instruction and “reproof” (can be read correction or reasoning), you must be willing to listen. Today, too many people are quick to speak and slow to listen. In order to be an effective communicator, you must first be willing to listen. I have always considered the most important part of a productive conversation to be the listening.
For many of us, it’s easy to talk, but much harder to listen. However, it’s in the hearing that we truly gain understanding. When we take the time to listen, we can process what is being said before we respond. It’s hard to listen when you’re doing all the talking.
Conversations would be much more meaningful if we all just listened to the other person before chiming in with our own thoughts. God really does know what He’s talking about. Talk less, listen more. We might just learn something.
—Daniel