Today's verse is Proverbs 18:13: "He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him."

In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves in conversations and interactions where we feel the need to quickly express our opinions and thoughts. However, in our haste to be heard, we often forget the importance of truly listening to what the other person has to say. That is why the message of Proverbs 18:13 is so vital in today’s world. This verse tells us that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak, and that we should be careful in forming and expressing opinions. In this article, we will explore the meaning and message of Proverbs 18:13, and highlight the importance of listening in effective communication.

Have you ever wanted to jump into a conversation and offer your opinion without fully understanding the topic? We have all been there, and it can lead to embarrassing moments. It’s human nature to want to jump to conclusions and offer our opinion without pausing to listen carefully. Our impatience and impulsiveness can result in embarrassing situations. Proverbs 18:13 cautions us against this behavior: “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.”

Proverbs 18:13 holds a vital lesson for us all in regards to the way we communicate with others. This verse says, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” Let us take a moment to reflect on the meaning and message of this verse.

The message of Proverbs 18:13 is clear: it is crucial to listen carefully before speaking and making judgments.

Listening is a critical component of effective communication. By taking the time to listen, we can gain a deeper understanding of the person we are speaking with and the situation they are in. This understanding can help us form opinions and make decisions based on facts, not emotions.

The two ears God gave us instead of one highlights the importance of listening and reinforces the idea that we should listen more than we speak.

Proverbs 18:13 also warns against hasty, quick, and impulsive interruption in communication. Interrupting someone in a conversation or discussion is disrespectful as it shows that we are more interested in what we have to say than what others have to say.

Why is it shameful to speak before listening? When we speak or pass judgment before hearing someone out, we risk being corrected, which can be humbling.

We need to exercise restraint when formulating and articulating our opinions. Our words should be carefully chosen; after all, silence is often considered to be the mark of a wise person (Proverbs 17:28). The Bible instructs us to be “quick to hear and slow to speak” (James 1:19). This practice encourages us to think before we speak and ensures that our words always reflect the best of our character.

Proverbs 18:13 teaches us the importance of listening before speaking, avoiding hasty conclusions, and practicing wisdom in communication. By doing so, we show respect for others, avoid folly and shame, and maintain a positive reputation. Let us strive to follow this wisdom in our interactions with others and make a positive impact in their lives.

The wisdom of Proverbs 18:13 serves as a timely reminder to always take a step back and first listen. 

The Benefits of Listening Before Speaking

Listening before talking has a number of advantages. Some of the main benefits include:

1. Improved communication: Listening before talking allows you to better understand the other person’s point of view and makes it easier to find common ground. A scripture that comes to mind is Proverbs 18:15:

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. (Proverbs 18:15 NIV)

2. Preventing conflicts: When you listen before speaking, you can better assess the situation and make sure that your response is appropriate and respectful. This can help to prevent conflicts and disagreements. When you listen before speaking, you are able to give a gentle and kind answer. The book of Proverbs admonishes:

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)

3. Developing relationships: When you listen with an open mind, you can learn more about the other person and develop stronger relationships. The word of God reminds us that:

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24 NIV)

4. Showing respect: Listening before talking shows respect for the other person and demonstrates that you value their opinion. The apostle Paul writes:

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19 NIV)

5. Avoiding misunderstandings: By listening carefully and asking clarifying questions, you can make sure that you fully understand the other person’s point of view, helping to avoid misunderstandings. Listening gives your room to ponder and choose your words carefully as the scriptures put it:

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” (Proverbs 15:28 NIV)

6. Making informed decisions: When you listen carefully, you can make sure that you have all the necessary information before making a decision. This can help you to make more informed and wise decisions. The book of Proverbs is in agreement with this view:

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15 NIV)

7. Improving creativity: Listening can help to stimulate your own creativity and can open up new pathways for problem solving. The word of God encourages us to:

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” (Proverbs 19:20 NIV)

We can gain all of these benefits and more by listening before speaking. Taking a moment to pause and listen can help to prevent conflict, strengthen relationships, and make more informed decisions. When we heed Proverbs 18:13 and listen before we respond, we open the door to a world of wisdom and insight.

Proverbs 18:13 encourages us to listen before we answer and to think carefully about our words. Taking a moment to pause and listen can have many benefits, such as improving communication, preventing conflicts, and making more informed decisions. When we heed Proverbs 18:13 and listen before we speak, we open ourselves up to wisdom and insight that can help us make better decisions and strengthen relationships.

Reflections Based on Proverbs 18:13

Consider how following the advice of Proverbs 18:13 has benefited your life. How has listening before speaking benefited you? In what ways have you seen these benefits in your relationships and decisions? How has pausing to listen helped you gain wisdom and insight?

Journal Prompt Based on Proverbs 18:13

Think about a recent conversation in which you could have benefited from taking a moment to pause and listen. How could listening more carefully have helped in this situation? What lesson can you take away from this experience?

How often do you take the time to pause and listen before speaking? What could you do to better heed the advice of Proverbs 18:13 and listen more before answering?

Proverbs 18:13 Prayer Points

• Pray for discernment in choosing appropriate and respectful words.
• Pray for wisdom to understand what the other person is saying.
• Pray for the courage to admit when you don’t understand something or need more information.
• Pray for patience and understanding when engaging in conversations.
• Ask God to help you be respectful and gentle in your words.

Prayer Based on Proverbs 18:13

Heavenly Father, thank you for the wisdom of your word. Help me to remember Proverbs 18:13 and to always listen before speaking. Give me the patience to take the time to pause and understand the other person’s point of view. Help me to be respectful and gentle in my words, and to use my words to build relationships and bring peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Frequently Asked Question

What does Proverbs 18:13 mean? Proverbs 18:13 warns against offering an opinion or advice before hearing all of the facts. It emphasizes the importance of listening and being patient before offering an opinion or advice, as doing so is imprudent and can result in embarrassment.