A Biblical Perspective.

"let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak..." James 1:19

God gave every person two ears and only one mouth.  James understood this when he wrote these words. Some people feel the need to speak up or to speak out or to defend what they believe. They are swift to speak and slow to hear.

Being a pastor means that the focus of your ministry is speaking. Speaking in prayer, speaking in counseling, speaking in preaching, and speaking in fellowship. Their job is to bring a word in season for those who are weary I wonder if pastors ever get tired of talking?

Some people feel it is a sin not to speak up to defend the faith. It's is God's word. Let Him defend Himself.

Men feel the need to fix problems. Fixing means working or giving advice. Contrary to popular opinion, men do like to talk.

Women, we are told, like to talk. They like to teach and instruct which involves a lot of talking. Women see the world in a unique way and they definitely talk about their world in their own way.

Children should be seen and not heard. But they learn early on how to talk in an appropriate manner.

The Bible makes is clear that we all, men, women, children, and pastors need to keep watch over our words. Swift to hear, not swift to speak, is the Biblical perspective.