Weekly Tea

Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Therefore, it is very important to listen. Jesus said, "The first commandment is, 'Hear, O Israel...'" (Mark 12:29). The Bereans were complimented for their listening in Acts 17:11: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind (listening)." Jesus frequently urged His listeners, "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15, 13:9).

We should also listen to one another. One of the ways we show genuine interest and love is by listening. Studies show that we spend around seventy percent of our waking hours in some form of communication, and that forty-five percent is spent in listening. In May 1977, at Southgate, Kentucky, the Beverly Hills theater fire killed 167 people. Reports from the tragedy said a busboy took the microphone from two comedians on stage and told the audience there was a fire, explained where the exits were, and told people to leave immediately. It took the audience a full minute to respond. Many thought he was part of the act. People lost life-giving seconds because of a listening problem. Here are a few ways to improve our listening:

• Find someone to listen to — We are way too concerned with finding someone to talk to. At this moment, someone needs you to listen to them. Paul said, "...weep with those that weep" (Romans 12:15), and again in Galatians 6:2, "Bear ye one another's burdens." One way to fulfill these admonitions is by listening to someone who lives alone, someone who has lost a loved one, or someone going through a personal crisis. Each needs someone who will listen.

• Stop talking — James 1:19 says, "...let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." President Lyndon Johnson had a plaque in his office which read, "You ain't learning nothing when you're talking." God gave us two ears and only one tongue, which He placed in a cage behind ivory bars. Perhaps He wanted us to listen twice as much as we talk. We learn what we can do to help by listening. A physician once wrote, "Many people do not need a doctor; they need an audience." To influence others for good, we need to listen.

• Ask questions — Philip began his conversation with the eunuch by asking a question, Acts 8:30, "...Understandest thou what thou readest?" Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do men say that I the Son of Man am?" (Matthew 16:13). After breakfast with His disciples, Jesus again asked a question about the extent of Peter's commitment, John 21:15, "Lovest thou me?" Listening to ask questions helps us keep on track. It helps us know how a person feels and how we can help.