THINK TOGETHER.
Have you ever been interrupted while talking? How did it feel?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 18:13. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Solomon is describing something that is very common for us to do – answering before hearing. Do you do this? Do you try to answer before you've listened to what is being said to you? Or, do you make choices before you've had a chance to listen to all the options? Do you judge others without hearing them out?
What about interrupting? Are you an interrupter? An interrupter doesn't feel like the other person should get to finish what they are saying. Solomon says that an interrupter, a person who won't listen, is a fool. They are shameful. Why? Because on a deeper level they are full of pride. They think that they know more than the person who is already talking. Yesterday we learned about pride and humility. God hates pride, and the proud are on a path of destruction. So when you answer without listening, when you interrupt all the time, you are on a path of destroying your friendships.
Many people even act the way Solomon is describing with Jesus. They think they already know everything they need to know about Christ. And so they don't listen. They have given their answer without hearing what the Bible says. Even as a Christian we can make up our minds about things without first hearing from God's word, the Bible. That is one of the most foolish things you can do, isn't it? Instead we must always listen first, then make up our minds. Listen to the Bible, listen to Jesus in your heart, and listen to other people. That's wisdom. And that's what Jesus does for us. He listens to our prayers without interruption. Even though he actually knows everything, he loves us and wants to hear us. Jesus is the best listener ever.
Because of Jesus our pride can be replaced with humility.
With Jesus we can be good, humble, listeners without interrupting.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Work on being a house where interrupting is discouraged. Model this for your kids (do you interrupt them?). Practice taking turns talking at the dinner table, and really listening to one another with interrupting.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you are the best listener ever. Teach me to not interrupt from my pride, and to be a good listener instead. Amen.
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