There is a term that I have used when I am talking to someone, and then they start talking over me. I call it "over talking." In my office we get many calls from people wanting to know the weather. There is one person, a regular caller, that when he calls, he will ask a question, and then when we are 2 or 3 words into the answer, he starts talking over us. I was taught by my parents that when someone is speaking, we are to listen and not interrupt. Apparently King Solomon also had this problem with people over talking. Honestly, when you interrupt someone while they are talking or you start talking over them, you are really telling them "what I have to say is more important than what you have to say" and it is a sign of disrespect to the other person. God is telling us in this scripture that we need to be listeners first, not speakers, but listeners. God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason...we need to listen to twice as much as what we say. I'm not talking about hearing. There is a difference between listening and hearing. With hearing you are not absorbing any of the words spoken, you just hear the person talking. Listening involves digesting what is being spoken. You take in their words and what is being said. Then when you have done that, then you can speak. If you want people to listen to you, you have got to show the same respect and listen to them...EVEN if it isn't what you want to hear or EVEN if you don't agree with what is being said.
Take Away: the next time you feel the urge to start talking while someone else is, start making a habit of listening to the other person. You will find that when you do this, you will also be heard when the time comes.
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