The ear, the mouth, and the mind

Our listening and comprehension skills are more important than our speaking skills.

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

Are you a good listener?

When someone comes to you hurting, are you able to hear their pain and suffering?
When someone comes to you angry, are you able to get past the anger and hear the root issue behind it?

Are you slow to speak?

Are you always the first one to give your opinion about things?
How often do you find yourself wishing you could take comments back?
How often do you offer comments and opinions that prove to be poorly thought out?

Are you slow to anger?

Do you immediately assume the worst about someone's comments or actions, thinking that they are attacking you personally?
Do you find yourself making sarcastic and rude comments in response?

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26

If we claim to be living a worshipful lifestyle, these things are of high importance.