What is the biggest problem horses have with some humans ?
Horses whinney, nicker, snort and scream, but their primary form of communication is body language. In addition they have the wonderful ability to sense emotion and intention.
(Most) Humans on the other hand primarily use speech to communicate, then body language a distant second and lastly, if at all, the sense of emotion and intention without a word or movement.
One can imagine the communication difficulties that do arise between horse and human. Suppose a person who if afraid of horses decides to pet a horse. They start with speech; soft kind words then do their best to back up their speech with confident body language and are clueless that their inside fear is speaking loud and clear. The horse barely understands the softness of the words, the body language is suspect because it appears forced, but the biggest enigma to the horse is the communication coming from the inside of the human does not match what is coming from the outside. Horses are not used to this, because horses don't do this. Therefore they become nervous, even frightened and the human responds to the horse with 'words' to the effect "What's wrong with you it's ok"
Do you think things would go better or worse for us humans if our insides matched our outsides?
Should we put more emphasis to see inside one another than to hear their speech?
Do you think that many use the spoken word to communicate but not to listen?
"Do you think things would go better or worse for us humans if our insides matched our outsides?"
Depends on what's going on inside the person. If I have to bridle my tongue, it's best that what's inside does not come out. :laugh:
"Should we put more emphasis to see inside one another than to hear their speech?"
In many cases, is that even possible? I do believe that there are times when a persons speech, their body language, will not reflect what is truly going on inside of them.
"Do you think that many use the spoken word to communicate but not to listen?"
Oh yeah.... I've been guilty of that one.
As an aside, I once made friends with a horse with an orange soda I was drinking. :laugh:
Do you think things would go better or worse for us humans if our insides matched our outsides?
Yes and No. That depends on what is inside. If we harbor negative things in our hearts, and we said exactly what we are thinking, that would not be good. The tongue is a powerful thing.
James 3:3-5 � �Indeed, we put bits in horses� mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.�
There are many times I think we need to hold back on what we are thinking. If we have negative thoughts about our boss, we would not come out and say what is in us. The Bible points out several people who did or didn�t do this. For example, Mary wasn�t quick to talk, but �pondered these things in her heart�. It wasn�t the right time to speak. On the other hand, look at Job�s friends who gave Job all kinds of bad advice, or Joseph when he bragged about his leading his brothers someday. He was unwise to share that at the time. Even though it was true, it made them angry and they threw him in the pit.
James 3:7-8 � �For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
On the other hand, if our hearts are pure and set towards humility and honest communication, then Yes, we should match that with our outside and what we say. I�m not saying that means tickeling someone�s ears. It may mean speaking the truth in love and being honest about what we are thinking for the good of the other person and the relationship. This aspect of transparency would apply to a marriage or close relationship. It could mean confessing being wrong, teaching and reproof, as well as encouragement. Emotional intelligence and being perceiptive is so important in a marriage.
�Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers� (Eph. 4:29)
I also think our insides should match our outsides if what we have inside us is praise and worship. Why hold back on that?
�Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.� (Heb. 13:15).
It all comes down to what is in the heart and being discerning.
�A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.� - Matthew 12:35
You asked: �Should we put more emphasis to see inside one another than to hear their speech?
Another loaded question. Yes, I think we should make an effort to see what is inside someone. We should be sensitive to what they are going through and understand why he/she says what they did. �This you know, my beloved brethren, but let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger� (James 1:19)
That doesn�t deflect the fact that speech is a reflection of what is in the heart, as mentioned earlier.
You asked:
Do you think that many use the spoken word to communicate but not to listen? Yes I think so, unless you try to look beyond what is being said and listen. Then again, that perception has to be communicated because we may be misunderstanding someone�s actions.
�May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord.� (Psalm 19:14).
I need to clarify my last statement I meant to say..
Personally, as a Christian, I think it would be easier for me to love someone without knowing all the dirt inside, of which may cause me to have a more negative preconceived view of them.
"Not take forever to realise someone is a jerk" --> Is the standard absolute? For example, in the past time, a man who took a woman's virginity could be categorised as one but today not anymore. Something like that (I couldn't think for other examples for now), the standard is changing from time to time.
- The cute married guy who is off limits � would knowing he likes you increase the temptation? BTW, he�ll know how you feel, too.
- The coworker who you now know is willing to throw you under the bus. Now you�ll have to hash things out. Would that be necessary? Or if you decide not to, then there is greater animosity, and more challenges in the relationship.
- Have there been times when our lives have been changed for the good because we didn�t know the intentions of someone close to us?
We may be able to recognize thieves and jerks, but we would have to accept that we�d have to live with knowing things we don�t want to know, or shouldn�t know. Can we in our sinful nature handle it? Multiply that times everyone on earth.
All things work together for the good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His plan. (Rom. 8:28)
Parting thought: If we agree that we must at times bridle the tongue so as not to (appropriately) show what is inside, then it seems logical to agree to the reverse � that it would be best not to always know the intentions of another.
I don�t have my Bible with me, but I believe there is scripture that states that the word of God is a double-edged sword, able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. I wonder if that brings any insight. Just thinking out loud.
The longer you know someone�the more you interact with them�the better you get to �know� them. Most people cannot help but let whom they are �inside� out (over time).
It �oozes� out in their Speech and Mannerisms and in their Body Language. I doubt if any of us here have any misconception of who or what the Posters on this site are like. Even if we try to �hide� who we are�in time we �slip� up and allow our �true� selves to emerge.
God made us the way that we are (with our Insides�inside and our Outsides�outside). God knows what He is doing and why He did it this way.
I believe one interesting thing about Horses is that they are �prey� animals. They have to have their �wits� about them in order to survive. Their eyes allow them to see pretty much 360 degrees. Their sense of smell is not that extraordinary, but their sense of touch is. Just the slightest shift of your weight on them is registered and coupled with training is often all you need to communicate with them.
They are Herd animals and look for a leader (usually a mare�interesting�huh?) and they will Bond with a human. It is this bond that I find Biblical. I have seen these 1000 lb animals do much damage when in fear of their lives, yet I am able to �hold� them with just one hand and guide them wherever I want them to go.
Matthew 5:5 (New International Version, �2010)
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
These animals become �meek� and �docile� because they SUBMIT to an authority. Maybe that is what we need to take from them?
