Less is More

Related Scripture:

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” — James 1:19

As a young official, I often struggled when coaches challenged my calls—questioning nearly every decision I made. I felt a constant need to defend myself, my actions, and my judgment. Too often, that led to disagreements, not because the situation required it, but because I wanted to prove I was right and they were wrong.

With experience came perspective. I began to realize those exchanges never ended well—in fact, they usually made things worse. At a basketball camp, a clinician shared something I’ve never forgotten: “As officials, we should only answer questions, not statements.”

That principle has stayed with me. Even now, when emotions rise during a game, I’ll sometimes calmly ask a coach, “Do you have a question?” It changes the tone immediately.

This truth also connects deeply with my spiritual journey. Whether as a pastor, a salesman, or an official, I’ve often found myself talking far too much. James 1:19 reminds us not just to hear the Word, but to live it out. Practicing being quick to listen and slow to speak has helped me avoid unnecessary conflict and, in turn, be slow to anger.

Let’s be honest—it’s human nature to want to be right. But I once heard a pastor say, “Sometimes, even when you are right, you are wrong.”

Think about that. There are moments when proving a point may win the argument but damage the relationship. In those cases, being right simply isn’t worth it.

Over time, I’ve learned—often the hard way—that in nearly every area of life, less is more. Some people communicate powerfully with just a few words. For others (like me), it can take three sentences to say what could’ve been said in one. That’s why Psalm 46:10 is such a powerful reminder: “Be still and know that I am God.”

The next time you find yourself in a difficult moment, try putting this into practice: Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Questions to Ponder:

Do I feel the need to get the last word?

Do I always have to be right?

Do I tend to control conversations with others?

Greg Norton - Lover of Jesus (FCO Board Member) Blue Ridge, GA