10/12/2026
It's easy to have an answer ready before someone else has finished speaking.
Whether we're talking with family, coworkers, friends, or even strangers, conversations can become difficult when we're more interested in being heard than in understanding others.
James offers Christians a valuable reminder:
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” — James 1:19 (ESV)
In the surrounding verses, James encourages believers to humbly receive God's Word and put it into practice. Our willingness to listen should shape both our relationship with God and the way we treat people.
Being slow to speak doesn't mean avoiding difficult conversations or compromising what Scripture teaches. It means approaching others with patience, humility, and self-control.
This week, consider how much good might come from listening a little longer, speaking a little more thoughtfully, and showing someone the patience we all need from time to time.
Sometimes, showing Christ's love begins with simply listening.