The Art Of Listening Series

James - No Spin Zone

James 1:19-26

September 15, 2024

According to relationship and communication experts, the most important aspect in any relationship is what?

LISTENING!

Yet, listening is not easy, is it? How long it will take some of you to start day dreaming during my message? When you get there just stand up, so we all know! Maybe, you’re wondering about lunch.

Maybe, it’s just shut him up so I can watch pregame before the Colts beat the Packers! Sorry, George!

Experts call listening an art. It’s active engagement with others. Do you know the difference between listening and hearing?

Hearing is just a bunch of noise, listening is taking that noise and making sense of it. It’s like when anyone talks to you, it’s noise, that gets deciphered into listening. COSMO

We’re looking at the book of James. James tells us in 1:19 ----

19 Know this, my beloved: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; - James 1:19

This is such a great verse and one we’re going to talk about. Now, I want to give an example of this not taking place. It’s really the opposite and we do this all too often - - - -

Be slow to hear, quick to speak and quick to be angry!

Have you ever been in those shoes?

This actually happened very recently. Do you know what happened on Tuesday evening? It was reality TV at it’s best and at it’s worst.

There was a presidential debate! I’ll be really honest with you - - - - I only watched for about 30 minutes AND was so disgusted I put on the 3 Stooges.

Let me explain a bit ---- ---- It was reality TV at it’s best. It served it’s purpose, 2 people sparring with one another, not listening to one another, not answering questions, putting one another down and really not showing any humility.

Neither one being presidential. That’s reality TV at it’s best. That’s the design of reality TV.

But it was also reality TV at it’s worst, because of basically the same reasons - - - - it showed 2 people who wouldn’t listen to one another, who really couldn’t stand one another, who insulted one another and they did it before America and the rest of the world. And that’s embarrassing.

The questions were 100% designed to have this happen. They asked questions that would lead to vitriol and disrespect. Both candidates blatantly calling one another liars.

They were quick to be angry and slow to listen.

I don’t care who won, as a nation, we lost.

But how do you determine the winner of anything? Is it the score? Is it the last one standing?

For the men, as we start Betterman tonight, is it the one with the most money, the best job, the prettiest wife, the most technology, the most toys? How do we define what it means to be a man of God? That’s part of the journey we’re starting tonight.

Is it the man who demonstrates grace and love and devotion to his family? Or is it the one who can demonstrate humility and integrity and is able to connect with others?

What James says is so important. Especially in today’s world. I’m calling this series, “THE NO SPIN ZONE.” I forgot that was coined by the Bill O’Reilly show. So, I’m borrowing from him.

That’s what James is about. There’s no spin, he’s giving us the message of the gospel on how to live our lives and it’s in your face and mine. James is telling us, “This is how we are called to live our lives.”

There are lots of perspectives out there and lots of different books and materials to help us be successful. But, how we define success, determines what we go after!!

Some people think, “If I were famous, then I’d be successful.” Is it money? Power? Possessions? How do we define success?

The Bible actually has a term for it. I believe there’s 2 words. Wisdom and humility. A successful life according to the Bible is a life lived with wisdom and humility. James helps us see what a successful life looks like, by living with both of these.

The first thing he tells us - - - - is be quick to listen. The word QUICK in the Greek means to be swift; or speedy; go without unnecessary delay. Is that how we approach listening to others.

How many of us are still on our phones when someone is talking to us, or watching a program and not turning and facing that person?

Listening can be a challenge. I’ve failed at it many times, most especially with Debbie! She should be the one I give the most attention to, but I find myself easily distracted.