Quick to Listen - Slow to Speak

A couple of months ago, I wrote about trying to “listen” more. I have been trying to listen to the various sides of the issues that are plaguing society. One reason I’ve been trying to listen is because I know so little. The professor in the first class I took at NWU started his lecture saying: “When you are done with this class, you’ll know how much you don’t know. You might not know much else.” My immediate thought was, “What am I paying all this money for? I’m not here to learn ‘how much I don’t know.’ I’m here to learn, so I know more!” The professor was correct, then and correct now. Every month that passes, I realize how much I don’t know. I realize how much I don’t know about what has occurred in history. I realize how little I know about science, relationships, and communication. I realize how little I know about God and His ways. I must admit I am constantly humbled by my ignorance. I have often said, “there are too many books and too little time!” I recently heard someone describe taking the position of a juror instead of an attorney. The idea struck a cord, and the light went on. Too often I slip into attorney mode and argue my point with vigor. What if instead of slipping into attorney mode, I sat in the jury box and listened to all the facts and both sides before coming to a conclusion? A few years ago, I served on a jury for an assault case. When the prosecution was done with questioning, it was apparent that the assailant was guilty. That is, until the defense was done with their case. The assailant had clearly acted in self-defense and the jury found him innocent. King Solomon put it this way “The first to speak in court sounds right—until the cross-examination begins.” Proverbs 18:17 (NLT) Jesus’ brother James instructed disciples to listen first and speak second. “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” James 1:19-20 (NLT) I’m striving to sit on the jury more and wear the suit of an accusing and defending attorney less. I confess, I know so little about what is actually going on in the world BUT I do know the one who knows everything about everything!

Where Does Division Begin?

There is an enormous volume of discussion in our society about the divisions that exist. The divisions are racial, political, economic, age, location… the list could go on for paragraphs. Everybody is talking about division, but unfortunately division is always seen as someone else’s fault.

Abraham Lincoln famously spoke about the division among Americans during the Civil War.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.” Abraham Lincoln

America, the country that God decided to be our home, (Acts 17:26) is in greater damage from inner forces than from foreign forces.

The natural response of many is “That’s right … they …” The problem of division never starts with “they.” The trouble of division starts with the division in every heart.

President Lincoln’s memorable speech gets its foundation on the words of Jesus. “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” Jesus - Mark 3:25 ESV

Jesus’ and President Lincoln’s words describe the human heart. The divided heart of any person will ultimately end in chaos. The divided relationship of any couple will collapse. Division between parents and children will destroy a family. “A house divided against itself cannot stand” is true in every area of life.

Any time I contribute to the division, in any area of life, I become a tool of the primary “divider,” the destroyer of man’s souls, the Devil. We cannot put on the uniform of the kingdom of darkness.

“Jesus, deal with my heart so I appear not seed or feed division in any area of living. Teach me to love those who think differently than I do. Amen,”

A thought about judging others in a "Call-Out Culture"

You might have heard the term “Call-Out Culture” used over the last year. Wikipedia describes “call-out culture” as a “form of public humiliation that aims to hold individuals and groups accountable for their actions by calling attention to behavior perceived to be problematic, usually on social media.” The terms “outrage culture” and “cancel culture” are variations of the same idea.

Jesus taught about judging others in the “Sermon on the Mount.” “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” - Matthew 7:1-2 NLT

Most people, who know these words, think Jesus was giving a blanket statement about NOT JUDGING. Mainly because they don’t know the rest of what Jesus said. He followed those “famous” words with instruction about judging true prophets (teachers) and false. The standard of judgement was to be their fruit or judging them by how they live and how they treat others.

It is impossible to live a healthy life without judgment. Every day we judge doctors, lawyers, teachers, bosses, politicians, judges, preachers, etc., etc., etc., as to their performance and merit. Rightly so! Only a fool would get treated by a physician without judging. BUT when a person judges, they must judge by the same criteria that they would want to be judged by.

That is not how it works in the “call-out culture” and especially in social media. People judge others by what they post and judge themselves by their motives and intentions. What would happen if every person who posted on social media would judge others by their motives (giving the benefit of the doubt) and judged themselves by what they post?