Do you listen in order to understand?

In my last few articles we are looking at how the apostle James views the ‘respectable’ sins that we allow to take root and grow in us unchecked.

So, on to another of James’ diagnostic tests. I read something recently that hit a nerve: ‘One of the biggest problems with our communication is that we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply.’

James famously has a lot to say about our words in his letter because there is no clearer test of what’s going on in my heart and with the most powerful muscle in my body – my tongue! What comes tumbling out of my mouth will very quickly reveal the state of my heart.