Quick to Listen

 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So, you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.            Acts 17: 22-23

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

I was recently speaking with my wife about Paul’s Mars Hill experience in the book of Acts. He met with Greek pagans who had been seeking their own “Higher Power”, and they had even made an altar to an “unknown God”. Paul commended them on seeking to know God- a God whom he would gladly explain to them.

Paul was curious enough to seek out the belief system of those with whom he would converse. Indeed, he did not condemn them, he sought to engage them. He used their own cultural language to engage them.

Too many Christians in these times are quick to condemn but slow to listen.

I like Paul’s approach.

Prayer: Lord, give us the discipline to be quick to listen and slow to condemn, Amen