There are three ways to listen.
Listening to hear something to disagree with
Listening to hear something to disagree with is usually the least productive. Interrupting speakers doesn’t build friendship and it hardly convinces anyone that they are in the wrong, even when they are. So why would anybody do this? Pride and prejudice.
3It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. — Proverbs 20:3 (NIV)
Listening to hear something to agree with
Listening to hear something to agree with is good with small talk, but likely to move problems forward and so saying “yes” as any kind of false agreement on important matters is to be avoided. There are even people who take silence as agreement so you might want to keep that in mind to avoid future trouble.
3Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? — Amos 3:3 (NIV)
Listening to understand
Then there is listening to understand. Listening to understand doesn’t involve value judgment or condescension (false humility, pride’s subtle cousin). Once you listen and fully understand the other person’s point of view you can then offer your correction, or walk away if need be.
10Christian brothers, I ask you with all my heart in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to agree among yourselves. Do not be divided into little groups. Think and act as if you all had the same mind. — 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLV)
There is such power in Christian unity that we should not let misunderstandings get between us.
19“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” — Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)
God bless you, Dear Reader.
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