Slow to speak

How many times have you said something, only later to look back with regret over what came out of your mouth? If you're like most of us, you can't count that high. We are all guilty of saying things we regret.

Maybe that's why we should pay attention to what Jesus' brother, James, says in James 1:19-20 - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone 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 tells us to do 3 things: Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

I heard someone say one time that you have two ears and one mouth so you should listen twice as much as she speak. I'm not sure that's an appropriate ratio.

Maybe we should follow the writer of the book of Ecclesiastes when he says, let your words be few.

Imagine what could happen to your level of conflict if you did what James tells you to do? It may not erase all of your conflict but I bet it would significantly decrease your conflict.