James 1: 19 - 20 NKJV
It is interesting that in my bible there is a heading in front of James 1:19. That heading is "Qualities needed in trials." There are countless conflict resolution courses which have been introduced, but none of them can come close to one which James tells us here. For one of the most important factors in the resolution of any conflict...is to listen. Being quick to hear and slow to speak is indeed one of the best pieces of advice that anyone can receive. If we enter into any discussion without this in mind then we might not hear that other person through the noise of our own voice. However, there are many people who feel that this is indeed a good way of communicating. To me, it's nothing but someone forcing their own opinions upon someone else. More than a few times in scripture, the Lord Jesus encourages those who are listening to Him as He says "He who has ears let him hear!" It would seem that listening is a good thing. Of course, there is listening...and there is hearing. The difference between these two is that one is listening to another while the other is taking to heart what one has said. I can hear you speaking to me, but do I take it to heart? Do I actually process what it is that you are saying? I have heard this refered to as active listening, and it is a big part of most conflict resolution regimens. Do we hear what others are saying? Or, are we just listening? He who has ears, let him hear. Keep in mind that our heavenly Father is in the habit of using others to speak into our own hearts.
8“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11“Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12“If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
John 3: 8 - 13 NKJV
In John 3 we read of a man named Nicodemus, who came to talk with Jesus one night. The very first words spoken to Jesus by Nicodemus testify that he indeed knew who Jesus was. As he proclaims that "we know that You are a teacher come from God." Keep in mind that this man Nicodemus was a leader of the Jews. I believe that this is exactly why he came to Jesus at night, so that his contemporaries would not see him associating with this man...this self proclaimed Son of God. Obviously, Nicodemus knew of Jesus and His teachings and works. Obviously he had not only listened, but heard Him speak. Whatever it was Jesus may had said which prompted Nicodemus to come before Him that night, it had spoken to his heart. If we believe in the truth of Christ that the Spirit of Jesus lives through us today {Galations 2:20}, then we may just see just how God will speak to our own hearts through those around us. Is there anything that is impossible for God? We may not see the heavens opening up in dramatic fashion, but our heavenly Father WILL get His message across to us in His own way. If we have ears to hear what it is He wants us to hear.
~Scott~
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