Effective speaking ALWAYS begins with listening.

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"The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed." (Isaiah 50:4, New International Version)

Sometimes we are too quick to speak, too eager to offer advice, too focused on achieving quick solutions so we can move on to the next task. How might our lives be different if we paused long enough to listen?

A better question: How might our words be different if we paused long enough to have our tongues instructed by God? What if we used our words to "sustain the weary" rather than to instruct the inefficient?

Effective speaking always begins with listening; listening to God, to people, and to circumstances.

Question: How can you begin your day (morning by morning) preparing your tongue for the day?

Leave a comment below.  Our community would benefit from your input.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: On Monday, July 7, I am moving my blog to my new WordPress site: www.drgerrylewis.com. 

This new platform will include blog posts (Life Matters on Monday, Dr. G's Morning Cup of Encouragement on Tue-Thursday & Saturday), book recommendations, podcasts (hoping to launch Your Church Matters by the end of August), ministry and personal growth resources, and lots more. 

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Don't Be a Big Mouth!

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 "Have you ever met someone who is overly eager to talk? There is more hope for a fool than for him." (Proverbs 29:29, The Voice)

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." (James 1:19, New Living Translation)

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood." (Stephen R. Covey, The Seven a Habits of Highly Effective People)

Why did God give us two ears and one mouth? Could it be that He intends for us to listen twice as much as we speak?

My father-in-law is one of the wisest men I know. He once said, "I've never learned much with my mouth open."

What can you do today to be sure that you understand before you speak?

Join the conversation by leaving a comment below.  What is one technique you use to be a good listener?