Listening is such a critical art that is habitually taken for granted in our world.  I love John Piper’s analysis of Proverbs 18:13: “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”  John makes ten valuable observations that are fleshed out in his article entitled “Ten Reasons to Listen to Questions Before You Answer” that are worth copying here:

1. It is arrogant to answer before you hear.

2. It is rude to answer a half-asked question.

3. Not answering a question before you hear it honors and respects the person asking the question.

4. Careful listening to a question often reveals the the question has several layers and really more than one question.

5. A question sometimes reveals assumptions that you do not share.

6. Questions usually have attitudes as well as content.

7. Questions have context that you need to know.

8. Questions are made up of words. Words have meanings that are formed by a person’s experience and education.

9. Proverbs 18:13 says it is our ‘folly‘ to answer before we hear.  That is, it will make us a fool.

10. And finally Proverbs 18:13 says that it is our ‘shame‘ to answer before we hear.

I cannot help but wonder what kind of world it would be if we practiced this elegant principle of listening fully to each other in our daily interactions.  May God help us learn to be each other’s counselors and therapists as we practice the simple art of listening.