James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak . . . (KJV).
When talking with other people, we should treat each one as if he or she is the most important person on the planet, because each one is the most important person to God. Listen well to them. What they have to say should be more important to you than anything you might interject. Do not seek to insert your life into theirs, but seek to allow God to insert Himself into their heart by listening carefully to them. You reveal His love to them by being interested in them. When they realize that you take genuine interest in them, they will come to realize that the Father has a genuine interest in them. People want to know they are important to others, especially to God. By being careful to listen to them, they will find a confidence that they are important to Him. Therefore, make each person important by listening.
1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (KJV).
When it is time to respond or to speak at all, take time to listen to what the Lord would have you say before speaking. If you want to speak as an oracle of God, you must listen first. This is a reason to learn to be quiet before Him. By being still, you allow Him to speak to you, and work in every situation you find yourself. By being still, you open the door that allows God to minister through you. By being still, you allow Him to minister to you.
