Let every man be swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath

The presidential election, which is knocking at the door, is the subject of current discussions. We listen to the candidates and the programs presented by them. If they only presented their electoral offers, that would be wonderful; but they also go over the red line and show us why some disqualify themselves for being the first man in the state. The Holy Scriptures say, through the apostle James, “Let every man be swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath”; 99.9 percent of candidates are missing this principle. I watched them all this week and I have a special respect for them all, but we have to admit that the art of communication is still to be expected. I deduced a few things from the candidates’ performance. First of all, they can’t listen to each other. Frequent interventions in each others’ speeches indicate that we have much to learn as a people. Don’t we really know how to listen to each other? An elementary rule of discussion is to allow each other to speak. I sit and think, if in the electoral debates, where there are at most three people and they cannot even listen to each other, what will happen when the burdens of the people will be on their shoulders? Listening quickly, means paying attention to what is being said, paying attention to advice and criticism that are brought to you. Then, we are asked to be slow in speaking, literally, but also figuratively. You have noticed how some candidates think that if they shout louder, they will be right. No, not at all. Some of them get lost in small, sharp discussions, then combined with well-known electoral clichés such as planting trees, helping the needy during the election campaign, or picking grapes. Obviously, these are actions with a major impact that touch the emotional side of the voter, but when they speak, they are disqualified in very large proportions.

He who speaks much cannot fail to sin. Many candidates from the treasury of their heart bring out bad things that then bring them a bad name. Too bad these things happen… Elections come and go, but every word you say will weigh heavily and follow you. Many conflicts arise because people are not in a hurry to listen, but they are in a hurry to speak. And in the same way, many conflicts are not resolved because we do not listen to each other to the end. We allow the earthly nature to speak in place of reason; and as a result, we say crazy things that become news or pamphlets. Not the one who shouts louder is right. I noticed a rule of thumb – usually everyone tends to stay in their position and not because someone didn’t convince someone else, but because it’s unpleasant to look like a loser. Anger is a bad platform. A platform that even if it impresses, does not bring results. Remember how many warrior leaders in declarations we have had in these 25 years of independence, and what has been chosen from their political career and the name they have left? Too few notorious memories, but on the contrary, people no longer want to remember them.

In this election campaign, some journalists moderating the electoral debates also touched on the topic of the candidates’ relations with God. I was glad that everyone said they were a Christian. Good thing so far, but one Bible verse says:

 “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”

It is the right time for high-ranking officials in the state to heed what the Scriptures say. One of them will swear in by the Bible. I want to believe that at that moment he will also evaluate his walk with God, which is much, much more priority than anything on this earth.

Translated by Aliona Solta