Proverbs 18:13

If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.

Actively and intently listen to others so that you can accurately discern their needs before giving advice.  If we are listening with the ear of our heart to hear someone’s needs, we will then more naturally ask good follow up questions to better understand, as well as help lead them to discover, what is true of themselves. Self-discovery leads to action much more than being lectured does.

Do you want the other person to see what is robbing them of life and then make the necessary changes to kill it? Or do you want to spout what you know so you feel better for saying it? Or because you think they’re pathetic for not seeing it? Or because you are fed up with them?

Matthew 18:6-7

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to trip up,” he went on, “it would be better for them to have a huge millstone hung around their neck and be drowned far out in the deep part of the sea. It’s a terrible thing for the world that people will be made to stumble. Obstacles are bound to appear and trip people up, but it will be terrible for the person who makes them come.”  [The Kingdom New Testament]

Causing others to sin, tempting people to do wrong, being a catalyst for anyone to go against God’s will is really, really, really bad.

Matthew 18:21-35

Not forgiving someone is really, really, really bad. See verses 34 and 35. It’s not just a karma thing; it’s an answering to God thing.