Pleasure in Understanding?

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”  Proverbs 18:2

He may be quiet when another person speaks, but he is not really listening. He is just pausing as he prepares to continue what is really a one-way communication to share his point of view. He may take part in social media discourse, but his goal is to dominate and convince and not to understand.

What does it take for a man to understand others and their opinions?  Simply, it takes two-way communication! This means an intentional investment of time and energy to listen and ask questions and clarify points and acknowledge another person’s feelings.

May God give us grace today so that we will make that investment and find pleasure in understanding someone else.

*Read the rest of the 18th chapter of Proverbs on this 18th day of May for more insights from God’s Word!