Listen

In our current culture we have been given a host of methods to "shout from the rooftops," so to speak. The Internet, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and so on all give a microphone to what used to be nobodies ... like me. Whether it's the extreme white supremacist or the outrageous socialist democrat or the 35-year-old guy living in his mother's basement streaming his own manifesto and everything in between, we've given everyone a voice, and it's a loud one. This stuff is available to nearly everyone on the planet. It seems like the least known (and often anonymous) folks can get their 15 microseconds of fame just by trolling or posting inflammatory content for all the world to "enjoy." And, of course, the obvious result is a "flame war," an Internet duel where everyone else either feels the need to agree or disagree in the loudest possible way through their Internet microphones.

It is strange then, in this microphoned world, to read

My beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)

In our society that just seems odd. Because "slow to speak" and "slow to anger" are not virtues in today's world. "Someone is wrong on the Internet" is a known truism and we need to deal with it! We need to fight it or broadcast it or something ... anything. Not just be "quick to hear."

But James doubles down. "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless" (James 1:26) Huh. "Slow to speak" and "bridle his tongue." Not really part of our current value system.

Listen, that's what I want to get across. I mean, I want to get across that we should be listening. I want to ask myself and my readers to try being "quick to hear" and "slow to speak." What is being said? What is being meant? (Because I can assure you that there is a lot of what is being assumed that is not intended.)

Would you describe yourself as "quick to hear" and "slow to speak"?