He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
To answer a matter before hearing it, and especially before hearing it fully, is folly and brings shame upon the one who answers. Hasty words create misunderstandings that produce unkindness, provoke retaliation, and spread strife, especially through words that separate friends, and breaking this cycle calls for earnest effort by Christ's grace. Hasty judgments and words create misunderstandings that lead to unkindness, retaliation, strife and division, especially among church members, and overcoming these divisions requires earnest effort through Christ's grace.
Those entrusted with dealing with people must examine the evidence carefully on every side and learn all the circumstances of the case. They must form conclusions cautiously and prayerfully, without being swayed by others and without acting rashly. Both sides of a matter must be heard patiently and belief must rest only on what the facts require, so reports of the wrongs of others must not be accepted until both sides have been heard.
Prejudice and resentment must not be allowed to rise against others before both sides are heard. Ministers must not encourage complaints about fellow members, and no one should pry into private matters that do no good to know. Careful, thoughtful and wise speech in the way of righteousness is required, and the Lord's encouragement is the motive for such speech.
To answer a matter before hearing it, and especially before hearing it fully, is folly and brings shame upon the one who answers. Hasty words create misunderstandings that produce unkindness, provoke retaliation, and spread strife, especially through words that separate friends, and breaking this cycle calls for earnest effort by Christ's grace. Hasty judgments and words create misunderstandings that lead to unkindness, retaliation, strife and division, especially among church members, and overcoming these divisions requires earnest effort through Christ's grace.
Those entrusted with dealing with people must examine the evidence carefully on every side and learn all the circumstances of the case. They must form conclusions cautiously and prayerfully, without being swayed by others and without acting rashly. Both sides of a matter must be heard patiently and belief must rest only on what the facts require, so reports of the wrongs of others must not be accepted until both sides have been heard.
Prejudice and resentment must not be allowed to rise against others before both sides are heard. Ministers must not encourage complaints about fellow members, and no one should pry into private matters that do no good to know. Careful, thoughtful and wise speech in the way of righteousness is required, and the Lord's encouragement is the motive for such speech.