The
one who loves her neighbor as herself listens to her neighbor as she
wants to be listened to. Her goal is to understand her neighbor's truest
need or desire. Notice these words from scripture:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what
is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may
benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29
The
effective speaker is an effective listener. He doesn't say anything
"unwholesome." She only says what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. But
of course she cannot KNOW the needs of the listener unless she first
listens. And of course her words won't benefit the one who listens
UNLESS SHE HERSELF HAS FIRST LISTENED!
Now we come full circle.
"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophecy."
We have pursued love by examining the supreme act of love towards God and people, the act of listening.
Now
we will desire the gift of prophecy, which is indeed the gift of
listening to God and sharing what He says. For a prophet and prophetess
do nothing more than listen to God and share his words! But I believe
that EVERY spiritual gift is encompassed in prophecy in this sense: all
who believe in Christ are empowered by the Spirit to be WITNESSES: those who bear witness to the word of Christ, as it is written, "The
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
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