Folly and Shame?
24121-EMW - Bible / Word
20-Pro 18:13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Read the context: Proverbs 18:12,13
Ponder:
? Why might Solomon have thought this would be an issue?
? What are some things that prompt a person to answer before they hear?
? What kinds of folly and shame could be the result of not listening before answering?
jne: It has been said that most people during a conversation that involves disagreement may appear to be listening, but are actually formulating their next point while the other person is talking. I know that is my tendency. Perhaps that is why more statements are made rather than questions asked during arguments. This is probably the reason so many arguments end in a stalemate rather than genuine understanding.
This kind of conversation is "folly" because nothing is really accomplished no matter the level of accuracy in the positions taken. And the pretend discussion is a "shame" to both sides because neither really cares about the other person or about understanding what they think.
To truly understand, or at least begin, requires actually trying to gain an accurate knowledge of both sides of an issue. The Bible books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are the result of wise men (Solomon) pondering life and seeking to see it from God's point of view. They had their texts of the Bible and we have the full complete Bible to use as our standard of truth. Of course there are people who will deny the Bible is God's Word, but "give their answer to the Bible before they hear it." Before I judge them too harshly, I must realize that I tend to do the same thing. My own thoughts tend to be the standard of truth for me. I tend to go to the Bible to confirm my thoughts rather than go to the Bible to hear what it says in order to more wisely give my answer. Our human nature is bent to "do what is right in our own eyes," and it is surely "folly and shame."
20-Pro 18:13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Read the context: Proverbs 18:12,13
Ponder:
? Why might Solomon have thought this would be an issue?
? What are some things that prompt a person to answer before they hear?
? What kinds of folly and shame could be the result of not listening before answering?
jne: It has been said that most people during a conversation that involves disagreement may appear to be listening, but are actually formulating their next point while the other person is talking. I know that is my tendency. Perhaps that is why more statements are made rather than questions asked during arguments. This is probably the reason so many arguments end in a stalemate rather than genuine understanding.
This kind of conversation is "folly" because nothing is really accomplished no matter the level of accuracy in the positions taken. And the pretend discussion is a "shame" to both sides because neither really cares about the other person or about understanding what they think.
To truly understand, or at least begin, requires actually trying to gain an accurate knowledge of both sides of an issue. The Bible books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are the result of wise men (Solomon) pondering life and seeking to see it from God's point of view. They had their texts of the Bible and we have the full complete Bible to use as our standard of truth. Of course there are people who will deny the Bible is God's Word, but "give their answer to the Bible before they hear it." Before I judge them too harshly, I must realize that I tend to do the same thing. My own thoughts tend to be the standard of truth for me. I tend to go to the Bible to confirm my thoughts rather than go to the Bible to hear what it says in order to more wisely give my answer. Our human nature is bent to "do what is right in our own eyes," and it is surely "folly and shame."