Love Listens

"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, NLT)

This verse surely goes against our carnal nature. Usually we would be slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to get angry. It is so much easier to go with the flow or feeling. Unfortunately, that is not what God wants us to do or what He tells us in His Word for us to do. If you are like me, you have found that the easy way is usually the wrong way. To do right or to do what God's word says is usually harder to do. Why? Because it goes against the flesh.

Have you ever been in the place where something happened and you had to count to 10 to keep from getting angry. Maybe you have found yourself counting to 100. Some people just have that ability to push our buttons. But part of being a christian is crucifying our flesh each day so that we don't act or react the way the flesh wants to. It means we choose the harder path where our own wants and desires are not the most important thing, but if people can see and feel God in our lives.

Where do we find the best definition of what true love is? No, I am not just talking about true love between a man and woman (even though that is part of it). But the true love we are to have for our fellow man/woman, strangers, our enemies, etc. That place is I Corinthians 13. I remember we had to memorize that chapter to be crowned Honor Star. I don't think I could quote it word for word, but parts of it definitely sticks out. We need to go back to that chapter and be reminded of how we are to love.

My challenge for you today is to read I Corinthians 13 and underline (if you write in your Bible) the words that define love. Then we need to practice those things in our lives once again. Watch our tongues and tempers and make sure we are doing what God's word says in our verse today.