# Listen more than you speak

By [Aurum Bits](https://paragraph.com/@aurumbits) · 2025-09-09

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People think words are just words. But words always reveal what a heart is made of. The heart, in turn, shapes the thoughts of the mind, and the quality of those thoughts dictates our instincts. Instincts expose the altars we’ve built—what we truly worship and sacrifice to.

This is why the Bible says _“be quick to listen and slow to speak”_ (James 1:19). If you listen long enough, a person’s words will reveal their heart. But if their actions clash with their words, believe the actions. Because fruit never lies. _“You will recognize them by their fruits”_ (Matthew 7:16).

And do not be shocked at the quality of people’s hearts. The Bible already told us: _“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”_ (Jeremiah 17:9). Even a man does not fully know his own heart. Only God can search it. Only Christ can change it. And only then will the right fruit begin to show.

In every dimension of life—whether at work, in church, in family, or in business—some manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit is required. But most people prefer to fake it. Just as many fake spirituality in church, companies fake “social responsibility” because they sense it is culturally acceptable. Imitation fruit may decorate, but it cannot nourish.

Only God makes us authentic. Only His Spirit can produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23) as the natural outflow of a changed heart. Everything else is performance.

So, the real test is not the polish of words, nor the image we project, but the fruit that grows from the altar of our heart.

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*Originally published on [Aurum Bits](https://paragraph.com/@aurumbits/listen-more-than-you-speak)*