You are one of three very eager contestants on a game show. In order to win the grand prize of $100,000 you must be the first person to answer 10 out of 10 questions correctly. The catch is that all three of you hear the question at the same time, so you must shout out your answer before the others are able to shout their answer.
The game show host asks if everyone is ready. Each of you answer ‘yes’. He begins to ask the first question.
“What is the largest…”
You shout, “An elephant.”
The host continues, “…..land mass on earth?”
Another contestant answers correctly and is credited with one point. You realize that you have just blown your chance of winning by jumping the gun and answer the question without even hearing it.
The Bible addresses this type of behavior in Proverb 18: 13 and that is what we will think about in today’s edition of Get Wisdom!! Choose your translation and let’s check it out:
“Listen before you answer.If you don’t you are being stupid and insulting.” (GNT)“He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame.” (NIV)“Anyone who answers without listeningis foolish and confused.” (NCV)“He who answers a matter before he hears it,it is folly and shame to him.” (NKJV)
GUILTY!! I am so guilty of this. I cannot even tell you how many times my poor husband has said to me, “Let me finish what I was saying!” I have proven myself to not only NOT be a good listener, but also prideful to think that I know what he was going to say. The really sad part is that I have found myself doing this more often than I would care to admit and not just with my husband. This verse brings a dump-truck load of conviction to my heart.
I don’t want to appear stupid, foolish or confused. How about you? I want to be a wise woman who knows how to zip her lip until she has all the facts. It is only then that I should open my mouth to give an answer.
Lord, please help me to keep quiet until I have all the facts and only then to speak with an instructed tongue.
MEDITATION MOMENT: Are you a zipped-lip person or a speak-before-you-hear-all-the-facts type? If you tend to speak too quickly, what can you do to change?
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