“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”
— Proverbs 1:5 (NKJV)
When you’re excited to share something with your family or best friend, do you do all the talking? Do you “tune out” anything others might say because you’re so focused on your own speech? Then you are missing an opportunity to grow and learn. When a teacher or parent tries to correct you about something, do you pay attention and consider what is said? Or are you content to simply appear as if you’re listening, while you wait for them to finish and go away? Proverbs says you should do the opposite of tuning others out. You’d be much smarter, in fact, to seek out sensible people and ask for guidance.
Don’t let your pride trick you into thinking you already know everything. Assume that you don’t, and be open to learning from other (hopefully wiser) people in your life. Do two things. First, listen when others share their thoughts with you. Since you already know what YOU know, you won’t learn anything by doing all the talking. Learning only increases when you listen. Second, if you have a decision to make, seek out sensible, godly people and ask their advice.
Want to put yourself on the fast track to learning? Zip your lip, sharpen your ears, and become wise!
More to Explore: Proverbs 12:1
Girl Talk: When you listen to others, are you really listening to them or thinking about what you will say next?
God Talk: “Lord, thank you for always being a good listener. Help me to be a better listener. Thank you. Amen.”
From No Boys Allowed by Kristi Holl