file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941115.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                     Tuesday, November 15, 1994
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READ:  James 1:19-27

              "JUMPING TO ILLUSIONS"

      "Let every man be swift to hear, slow
             to speak, slow to wrath."

                  - James 1:19

How frustrating to have someone interrupt you, thinking
he knows what you're about to say and then jumping to
a conclusion!  We've all done that.  We've jumped to
"illusions" about what the person was actually saying.
We've heard the words that were spoken, but we didn't
really listen to what was being said.  And what mis-
understanding has resulted!

Recently I "sat on the sidelines" as a husband and wife
argued, firing volley after volley of accusations at
each other, both talking at the same time, and constantly
interrupting each other.  Each word drove the wedge of
misunderstanding deeper and deeper into their relationship.
I could hardly call for a ceasefire above the din of their
verbal  warfare.

I can't imagine that Jesus ever engaged in discourteous
conversation.  People listened to Him, and He listened to
them.  James, in his letter to the early church, wrote,
"Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (1:19).
I'm sure he saw this modeled in Jesus many times over.

Respectful listening keeps anger under control and
promotes righteousness.  Let's listen carefully and
avoid jumping to illusions.

    -- Dennis J. DeHaan

    It's easy to listen to words that are said
    And not hear the facts at all;
    But listening for truth, and not just to words,
    Will save you from many a fall.

            -- Hess

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        THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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  You can win more friends with your
      ears than with your mouth.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  James 1-2

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of
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