Are We Hearing The Same Thing?

I quietly went to the window the other night to see if it was eating the popcorn I had put out earlier for the birds. I was surprised when I didn’t see the raccoon, especially when I continued to hear its chatter. The more I listened, it was apparent the “raccoon chatter” was coming from the kitchen window, just over the sink. In a few minutes the mystery was solved…the chatter wasn’t coming from a raccoon. A tree frog had decided to perch between the glass and window bird feeder and was quite content to sing the night away.

Its chatter really did sound like that of a raccoon. Could it have been because I suspected a raccoon might eat the bird’s popcorn? I wonder how often conversations are misinterpreted simply because people didn’t take time to listen to what the other person was saying – not just the words, but the meaning, the real message they’re trying to communicate to us – and didn’t go to the person directly to clarify any questions or confusion?

Relationships can be damaged when we allow biases to negatively influence our perceptions (or expectations), not only of what we hear but also what we say. Paul writes that we shouldn’t speak evil (gossip) of people (Titus 3:2), Peter and Jude wrote of people who speak evil things (gossip) of things they haven’t understand (Jude 1:10). What can we do? Listen to others, think positively, don’t suppose the worst, and certainly don’t spread the worst (gossip). Do share words of hope, words of truth.

After taking a little time to “listen” to it, I began to appreciate the tree frogs song, he seemed to be singing for the sheer joy of life. Now if a small tree frog can sing that loud for joy shouldn’t the redeemed break forth with joy?

NAU 1 Peter 3:10 ‘For, “THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.”

NKJ Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

KJV Psalm 50:23 “And to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.”

Pastor Mike Wise