July 22, 2018
Scripture
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. - James 1:19 NKJV
Devotion
I wanted to talk with you about this, fellow believer to fellow believer, but I realized it wasn't going to be possible. So, I've written it down. It's because I really believe it's the only way I'm going to get through to you. Here's what I have to say:
You never let me finish. I suspect you never really hear a word I say. At least, you never really hear the point I'm trying to make. How could you? You never give me a chance to develop it. Indeed, you seem to regard my words as nothing more than jumping-off points for what you want to say. Before the words are out of my mouth, you're off and running on the topics near and dear to your own heart. We never seem to get around to what I want to say. I'm beginning to feel that you have no respect for me. I'm beginning to feel that you don't think I'm worth your time.
If you gave me a chance, if you were slow to speak, you might find out that I have a lot to say that's worth hearing. Like every follower of Jesus Christ, I've been given a number of spiritual gifts. If you let me, I can contribute. If you let me, I can make things easier for everyone. The body of Christ is a unity of diverse gifts and abilities. No one person has it all. No one person should dominate the way you do. You're acting like you're the head of the body. You seem to have forgotten that Jesus already holds that spot.
Even worse, you're not exactly slow to wrath. If I persist in making my point, if I refuse to allow you to talk over me, you get frustrated. Worse, you get mad. Ironically, you then accuse me of being slow to hear and swift to speak. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! There's a technical term in psychology for what you do. It's "psychological projection." That's when you deny the existence of your problem and attribute it to someone else. I hope you can see how unfair that is. I hope you can stop.
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