The most common cause of disagreements and arguments is ignorance. Our human nature assumes that the other party is ignorant, rather than ourselves, but unless we listen carefully and thoughtfully to the positions of others, we will always be the ignorant ones. Ignorance simply means a lack of knowledge or understanding, and it usually leads to positions and decisions that are wrong in some way.

James 1:19 advises us to be swift to hear. This means taking the time to understand what is being spoken. Understanding may take time and effort, but when ignorance is erased, it is time well spent.