I am an introvert. If you met me in my current vocation, you wouldn’t necessarily realize that with what my job description entails. Most of my tasks are people-facing: from answering the phone, to organizing meetings, to answering questions at the front desk. But I come home and recharge so that I can return to work the next day, ready to serve.

With the amount of interaction I have each day, I am certainly prone to the regular “open mouth, insert foot” tendency that we all encounter as humans—saying something we probably shouldn’t have. Sometimes this is done out of ignorance: We give an opinion when we don’t have a whole grasp on a situation, or we make a quick assumption, trying to offer a quick answer. Sometimes we do it out of discomfort: We want a conversation to end, or we struggle to know exactly what to say, so instead of taking the time to consider our words, we hurry to fill the silence with well-meaning but unhelpful words. In such situations, listening well can help us to respond in a more loving, friendly, and appropriate way.

What the Bible Says About Listening Well

God’s Word has a lot to teach us about speech and interacting with others. Proverbs 18:13 (NIV) warns us, “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” When we forgo listening to another person’s point of view or the appropriate context before speaking, we can easily come out looking like a fool, speaking out of ignorance because we did not take the time to hear what they were saying. In turn, that can affect our reputation, reducing our relational credibility.

The Apostle James offers similar advice, telling his readers that they “should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19b–20, NIV). From this passage, we can see the dangers of being slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. Each of those threats makes misunderstanding more likely to occur, which threatens current relationships and prevents the formation of new ones. On the contrary, we gain trust by taking the time to listen to not only the words that the other person is saying but also to the intent and message of what the person is saying.

Romans 10:17 offers the best example of the effects of listening well: “So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (NKJV). When we hear the word of God in Scripture through the wise words of others or teaching on the Bible, we grow in our faith. And as we grow in our faith, we are able to hear and respond to others in a more biblical way. This understanding is foundational to biblical listening and the faithful practice of such a skill.

3 Steps to Practice Biblical Listening

While we understand the importance of biblical listening in the context of conversation, how can we faithfully practice this skill?

Depend on the Holy Spirit for Discernment

While this point seems like a no-brainer, oftentimes we can assume in our flesh that we know how to respond biblically to others when that is not the case. Some conversations take the discernment of the Holy Spirit, both to comprehend the words and message being said, as well as to speak the right words in the right way. Having the Holy Spirit by our side in conversations helps us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) with respect and kindness.

Let Scripture Guide Your Words and Mindset

When having conversations biblically, it is crucial to have Scripture in your heart. This is more than just knowing what the Bible says; it’s believing it to the point that it informs the way you converse with others. It means truly focusing on what the other person is saying rather than planning your response, then allowing enough time for your mind to formulate a biblically supported response. When Scripture is in your heart, it informs both what you say and how you say it, even if you do not quote Scripture directly (though quoting can certainly be helpful!). Most importantly, you will come to listen and respond as Christ would if He were in your shoes.

Respond with Christ-Like Humility and Love

If Christ is truly present in our conversations—and He is!—how should we proceed with listening and responding to others? When we remember His presence, it changes the tone and feel of the whole conversation; we are no longer on our own. Jesus even reminds us that when we serve the less fortunate, we directly serve Him (Matthew 25:40). In this, we keep the best interest of our neighbors at heart and are more likely to interact as such. If we keep this principle, we will remain humble in our listening and response.

So the next time you find yourself in a conversation with a coworker, a friend, a family member, or even a stranger, remember to listen—and, eventually, respond—with the love of Christ.

If you liked this article, check out the related resources below!

Related Resources:

Better Together | Discipleship Guide (alt text: Better Together | Discipleship Guide | TDGC)

Scripture Memory Cards (alt text: Scripture Memory Cards | Floral | TDGC)

Craving Community | How the Gospel Helps You Cultivate Faithful Friendships (alt text: Craving Community | A Bible Study on Friendship | TDGC)

Hearing God’s Voice | Learning to Be Led by God (alt text: Hearing God’s Voice Bible Study | TDGC)

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Author Bio

Leslie Williams writes with a passion for helping women grow in their knowledge of Scripture and confidence in their faith. She teaches online as an adjunct professor at Liberty University and holds an MDiv in Pastoral Counseling. She is currently a PhD student in the Theological Studies program at Liberty Theological Seminary. In her free time, Leslie enjoys reading, running, and meaningful conversations over coffee.

Related Resources:

Better Together | Discipleship Guide		Scripture Memory Cards - Floral		Craving Community | A Bible Study on Friendship		Hearing God’s Voice | Bible Study
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