James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;(ESV)
Many people listen just long enough to answer. That’s not the same thing as hearing.
To truly hear someone, we have to slow down long enough to remember that they aren’t an obstacle, an interruption, or a problem to solve. They’re a person made in the image of God.
That requires humility.
It means putting ourselves aside long enough to understand what’s actually being said before we decide how we want to respond.
That’s where listening becomes a heart issue.
A person who can’t stop defending themselves long enough to hear another person may be showing more than impatience. They may be showing who’s sitting on the throne of their heart in that moment.
Reaction feels powerful. But love listens.
Pride answers before it understands.
A disciple should be learning to hear before speaking, because hearing is one of the ways we practice humility.
Be quick to hear.
Not quick to assume.
Not quick to answer.
Not quick to defend yourself.
Quick to hear.
Walking With Christ 
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