One day I was watching Family Feud and as each contestant stood waiting, hands on their buzzers, the host began to ask the question. Before he got the question out completely one of the contestants slammed their hand onto their button and spewed out some answer. As you can guess, it wasn't one of the top answers on the board. The host then turned to the other contestant and read the question in its entirity. After doing so it was quite clear that the first contestant would have been wise to wait and hear the question in order to understand what was being asked. I thought about this verse in Proverbs 18:13

"He who answers before listening-that is his folly and his shame."

Now, I'm not saying that incident on a game show brought shame to the contestant, but I am guessing it probably brought some degree of embarrassment. It wasn't a wise move to answer without knowing the entire question. This scenario also reminded me of politicians. Often times they are asked random questions and they may give some rash answer without much thought to it. They make promises that realistically they will probably never be able to keep. Had they done more extensive research on the topic they might have known better than to make such promises. But in their attempt to win voters they will say just about anything to please them.

Sometimes (in hindsight usually) it would be easy to see why James 1:19 would tell us to "be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." It's foolishness to answer without first listening intently. We need to hear what others have to say (not just with our ears, but with our hearts). Have an open mind and a willingness to admit if you are wrong. A person who answers hastily can easily end up being angered when they are humiliated by their own stupidity. I realize that is not necessarily the anger James is specifically referring to, but it is true all the same. Think about it. Have you ever done or said something foolish and then got angry when someone proved you wrong? So who were you really angry at? The one who showed you truth or yourself?

I guess the point I am really trying to make here is to think before you speak. Know what it is you are responding to when someone asks you questions.  If you don't know the answer don't be too proud to say, "I don't know the answer; I'll have to get back to you on that." Pride goes before a fall. A person who walks in humility is quite refreshing and far more respected than the one who speaks arrogantly.