He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him (Prov

"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him" (Prov. 18:13). It is really amazing just how often I see people fulfilling the words of this proverb. When conversing, especially about the things of God, everyone is so busy in their mind thinking about what they want to say, that they simply do not listen enough to even know what they are answering. I've noticed that people do the same thing with reading. I couldn't count the times that someone has replied to articles on our various social media sites, and actually have no idea of what they have supposedly read, or what they are replying to. Why? It's because they're doing the exact same thing that they do in conversation, meaning that they are so busy thinking about what they want to say in reply, that they don't even really read what they are reading. What they are actually doing is "reading" the thoughts of their own minds so much that they miss what is written, and then they reply accordingly. I'm looking at some of the replies I get and I'm thinking, "What the heck were they reading? It certainly wasn't the article that they responded to." But the truth is that while they were partially reading, and mostly thinking about having their say, they just THOUGHT they read the article; and then they thought that they were replying to what they supposedly read. Then I get the replies where someone asks a question that simply requires an answer of rewriting the article. What is it? It is answering a matter before hearing [or reading] it, just as my text scripture declares. I can't rewrite an article in response to a question someone asks who obviously did NOT focus on what they read. Even if I did, they would want to repeat the process again. People who are doing these kinds of things should truly beware of fulfilling another proverb that takes the issue of this condition a little further: "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself" (Prov. 18:2). If one continues in the pattern mentioned by the first proverb, it can only lead to the condition described by the second proverb here, because in reality that is what is taking place in their supposed seeing and hearing. They are more interested in what they are contemplating replying, than actually giving themselves the opportunity to learn something real and true. I can't conclude whether something is true or false without giving myself the space to actually hear or read what someone is really communicating. Nothing but confusion can result from hasting past what you are hearing or reading just to get to your own words of response, as again the Proverbs address: "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him" (Prov. 29:20).

It would be far more beneficial to pursue the fulfillment of yet another proverb: "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels" (Prov.1:5). The word "hear" in this proverb can be better understood if we substitute the word "listen." I can be somewhere where music is playing, and HEAR with my ears what is playing without actually LISTENING to the words and knowing what is being said in the song. The reason I wouldn't really hear the words of the song is because my mind is on something else at the time and I am not truly LISTENING; even though I do HEAR the song playing. Unfortunately that is the way most people approach communication and even reading, and like I said before, especially about the things of God. This is not an opinion, but rather it is something that I have learned by long experience in the ministry of the word of God. Folks just don't get it; There is no room for opinions when it comes to the truth of God, even as the scripture says: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Pet. 1:20,21). Believe it or not, this rule still applies in both parts. You either know what you are talking about because God has revealed it to you by his Spirit, or you don't. I simply do not try to set forth any kind of thought about anything to do with the gospel of Christ, unless God's Spirit has revealed it to me. Of course I speculate privately on things that have not been revealed to me, but I don't put speculation in concrete; and I certainly don't speculate publicly as though my personal speculation is divine truth. What God HAS revealed to me I set forth with authority from heaven, whether in writing or in word. And I have as much joy, if not more, in NOT writing or saying what has NOT been revealed to me by the Lord; as I do with putting out what he HAS shown me. In closing I must say that if someone is not truly listening to and hearing truth that is spoken to them, and not truly seeing what they are reading; then there is no chance of them hearing the still, small voice of the Spirit of God. How do I know this? Because if someone is too busy in their mind to really listen when communicating with someone else, or when they are reading an article of truth; it is certain that they are dealing with God the same exact way, because that IS their way. That is why Jesus repeatedly said after speaking truth; "IF any man have ears to hear, let him hear" (Mk. 4:23). And to that I say, Amen.