Fools
think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. Proverbs 12:15
Wisdom is useless, dare I say “foolish” if
it cannot be applied to a situation. You have to listen to the other person to
see what their need is. Only then can you apply your wisdom, knowledge and
understanding to giving counsel or advice.
There are over 500 times that “listen” is
used in the New Living Translation of the Bible. The Israelites are told
countless times to “listen” to the Lord their God and to obey His commandments.
And now, Israel, listen carefully to
these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that
you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the LORD, the God of
your ancestors, is giving you. Deuteronomy 4:1. Even in later years of the
Old Testament the Israelites are commanded to listen. I think that this example
in Hosea shows us that those who are following the Lord are reminded to “listen.”
Let
those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen
carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live
by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. Hosea
14:9. If we want to help others…then we need to help ourselves by being
obedient to the Lord God. He will grant us wisdom when we need it…when we ask
Him.
Prayer
~ Hear my prayer, O
LORD! Listen to my cries for help! Don't ignore my tears. For I am your guest—a
traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. Psalm 39:12.Help me
to listen to others…to truly listen and to empathize with them so that You can
meet their needs through me.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
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