In the past 10 years we have seen a huge shift way that people communicate with one another. Folks used to 1.) Pick up the phone and call one another to talk about things or 2.) Meet in person. Those were the only two options. Today, there are many: facetime, facebook, twitter, texting, email, blogging, etc. Our society has a “duck in” mentality when communicating with one another. Along with that quick shotgun approach to communication lie many dangers.
Proverbs 18:2 says “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” What does that mean?
A few thoughts:
- If your opinions aren’t lining up with what the Bible teaches, you are destined to look like a fool. It is only a matter of time.
- If you are quick to speak and slow to listen, you are automatically considered a fool among other people.
- Words have weight. Everything you say can and will affect someone else.
- There is nothing wrong with having an opinion. It is dangerous and foolish however to have an opinion without trying to understand someone else’s stance on the subject.
- As a Christ follower, your scale to weigh every opinion (yours and others) is the Bible. God's word trumps all other words, no matter how you feel!
- When you remove personal interaction with others you will become cold to others. Many times I see people vomit their opinions on facebook without any care whatsoever to those words hurting anyone else. The reason being is that lack of personal “one-on-one” communication will harden you over time.
- Where is the love? Words emailed / texted / tweeted are automatically lacking compassion. People have a hard time reading emotion. When a word is spoken face to face, your presence in the conversation will convey that you care about that person.
- Sharp words towards others are like fists. When you swoop in and make “barbed comments” on facebook or twitter, it is the same as sucker punching someone without them seeing it coming. Any coward can punch another with a bag over their head. It’s a lot harder to speak venomous words in person.
The more you talk and express your opinions, the more likely you are to come off looking like a fool. Choose your words wisely, be slow to speak them and you will be considered among others someone worth listening to.
