GARIPPA BLG LESSON FOR JULY 31, 2016
STEVE SPANER, TEACHER

Jesus the Master Communicator (Part II)

As James reminds us, Take NOTE, let’s be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. In our first lesson on this section of scripture we reviewed the huge task of learning the art of listening. It is a course in life to which we never stop learning. We have a difficult task to focus on the art of listening to others in our modern world. We have constant ways of communicating to and fro, by texting, twitting, e-mail, internet surfing, TV, books, and other technological distractions. The most important person is that person who is speaking to us face to face. We cannot and should not be distracted. So put down the remote, close the lap top, and give your FULL attention to the person(s) who God has created in his own image. Surely he/she is worthy.

Listening involves concentration, eye contact and body stance, so we are fully engaged in the dialogue, all ears! It is not about winning the argument, or getting ready to respond before the person is finished speaking, it is being in the now, and understanding the heart and soul of the person God gave His life for. He is worthy.

Today’s class will be moving on to words and action. Jesus wanted His disciples to be transformed in their thinking before they could qualify to communicate His truth to others. Jesus said, "A good tree will produce good fruit." The Lord knew that without the willingness to be cleansed, empowered and instructed by the Holy Spirit, no one could do the works of God in their own human wisdom.

When you’re trying to reconcile with someone, don’t listen for the problem or the issue. Listen for the hurt beneath their complaint, their issue, or their anger

People around your world are hungering for respect. When you treat people with dignity, the anger dissipates quickly

Wait. Love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4). So waiting before we respond to a concern or complaint—being slow to speak—is often a way God calls me to love others, even if they don’t expect or want me to wait. Remember Jesus, as he stooped down and wrote in the sand to those ready to cast stones. (John 8:1-11)

Prudently restraining my lips (Proverbs 10:19) allows me to get past my initial impulse (which is frequently wrong), to ask God for wisdom and discernment, and to ask clarifying questions that often don’t come in the heat of the first
moment. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24). When I speak, it is so important that my words “give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Gracious words are sometimes tender and sometimes tough (Proverbs 27:6), but they are always measured, clear, honest, and if possible (a struggle for me) concise (Proverbs 10:19). They always aim for truthful restoration and agreement (2 Corinthians 13:11)

And finally, remember the longsuffering of our God and Savior. He has been very patient with all of our un-togetherness and sin. If God were to act on some of our behavior where would you and I be? Yes, it is right at times to be angry. But don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Some helpful scriptures below are good for us to meditate upon.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding,

But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly (Proverbs 14:29).

A hot tempered man stirs up strife,

But the slow to anger pacifies contention (Proverbs 15:13).

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city (Proverbs 16:32).

I’m looking forward to seeing each of you this coming Lord’s Day.

Blessings to you and your family,

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