DCLM Higher Everyday 20 November 2024 — Brethren, Be Swift To Hear
DCLM Higher Everyday 20 November 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Brethren, Be Swift To Hear
Topic: Brethren, Be Swift To Hear
Text —James 1:17-25
17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Key Verse: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
Message
Someone once said the reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may hear the more and talk the less. Many people learn how to talk but they don’t learn how to listen. Too often, we underestimate the power of a listening ear. Many youths obstruct people during conversations and do not allow them to finish with their points. They miss out on the revelation of God’s word; forget instructions passed by their teachers and parents, and miss good opportunities as a result of doing the reverse, that is, talking too much and not paying attention to others.
Also Read: Higher Everyday 19 November 2024 – Honour Your Parents
Paying attention more and talking less will help you to learn more, gain respect and trust, command attention when you speak, build good relationships and maintain real connection with others. Also, people will feel comfortable opening up and sharing their thoughts and experiences with you. Having a listening ear would always give you the edge among your peers. Some youths do not do well in school because they are noisy in class and do not listen to their teachers.
Quote: Learn how to listen
Challenge: Pay attention to others.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to be swift to hear and slow to speak.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
