Values-As Deep as a Mudpuddle

​He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. Prov 18:13

What is this verse describing? Someone who makes judgments, and opinions before they've listened and understood the other person, and he/she has made their statement on the matter. This is an all too common practice today, which causes a great deal of unnecessary misunderstandings, and disputes. Not being willing to listen to the other person and want to understand them, is one of the most rude things that can be done to someone. This verse contains a great deal of wisdom, that will be touched on here, and there's links to other sites, with more on this subject. Now, I'll pose some questions that refer to this verse, and you can ask yourself, how they speak to you in your life.

• 1. When your trying to give an answer to someone, or explain a situation, and you are cut off, and the person talks right over the top of you, how does this make you feel about your relationship to them? 
• 2. If you are interrupted in trying to speak to someone, and they also change the subject entirely, what does that tell you?
• 3. If this is done repeatedly, how does this cause you to feel about your worth to them, and if it's  wise to associate with them?
• 4. When you look around at society today, can you see how this pattern of behavior is a serious problem, that few recognize and address?
• 5. What does it say about society as a whole, and the values people hold?

In my lifetime, observing this when interacting with other's, it's caused me to realize that if the person I'm trying to speak to hasn't the desire or patience to listen to what I'm saying until I've finished a sentence, and continues to interrupt me, there's no basis for any relationship with them. I'm of no value to them, and their behavior shows me they do not care about me as a person. There's no desire from them to reason with me, or want to know me, or understand my heart. There's no point in attempting anything to attempt to build a relationship with them, it is futile, and dangerous.

People who do this, and always have to be on top in a conversation, will also attack you verbally, and abuse you in other various ways. Any relationship with them can be lethal. Any interactions with them, can bring great stress and continuous contention to you in your life, that you don't need, and should avoid. The constant stress can even cause you physical problems over time, if you don't set boundaries, and avoid them.

At this place in my life, stress, and unneeded controversy is something I stay away from at all costs. There's a great many people in the world today, who's aim in life seems to be in constant turmoil, and meddling in other peoples lives, to cause harm. They use their mouths as weapons. In recent years, I've had to ask the Lord to help me, because so much of it has caused me to become defensive and react in retaliation, to defend myself-this is not right, it's not of the Lord. No matter how long you've been walking with the Lord, these things can happen. The devil uses every kind of person and tool, to get you to stumble and fall, it's a constant spiritual battle to keep your heart right with God, but, it's not impossible. We have to choose who we are going to allow in our lives, and who we will trust with matters of our hearts. The problem is, how many people in this world is there, that can be trusted? I'll leave that with you to ponder.

At my age now, in my senior years, the verses of Peter below are what I use to guide me, and keep me on the right path of life, the old paths of righteousness:
1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 
1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 

Now, may the God of peace, love and power be with all who read this, and bring light and wisdom to your life. Below are links that bring more light and understanding on this verse-as food for the soul.
Lorna Couillard
Commentaries on Prov 18:13:
Listen BEFORE You Speak - Proverbs 18:13
https://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/proverb-a-day/listen-before-you-speak-proverbs-1813
Hearing Before we Answer: Thoughts on Proverbs 18:13
https://fromthestudy.com/2006/06/12/hearing-before-we-answer-thoughts-on-proverbs-1813/
Commentary from Bible Hub-
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/proverbs/18-13.htm

Speaking in Ignorance-An Internet Epidemic

"Among modern technology's greatest benefits is ease of communication. Yet that ability comes with dangers. It has never been easier for persons lacking experience, information, and discernment to spread their opinions to others on a large scale and without a meaningful requirement to think before broadcasting. Entire media platforms are designed around characteristics such as speed, brevity, and reach. This enables poorly understood, factually challenged, ill-considered statements to be instantly delivered to a large audience.
Such risks have resulted in innumerable people making fools of themselves when hastily made comments prove deeply uninformed. Another regrettable result is modern culture's tendency to form opinions based on bite-sized, context-free headlines, reinforcing the error and causing it to spread.
As a wise judge, Solomon understood the wisdom of hearing both sides of a matter before rendering a judgment. Speaking before hearing is a sign of arrogance and overconfidence (Proverbs 18:12). Vain pride makes a person think he knows what to say without bothering to hear what another person has to say. This proverb, written thousands of years ago, indicates that speaking in ignorance is not a modern problem. It's an ancient problem amplified by modern technology.
Jesus placed a high premium on hearing a matter carefully. He said, "Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away" (Luke 8:18). The apostle James writes in James 1:19: "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak." Further, in verse 26 he cautions: "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."   [Online Bible Reference]