James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
James 1:19-20 NIV
The most valuable joy and deepest pain stem from our relationships. The words we use can be a lighthouse to those around us or they can be a stench echoing in our minds. Woefully, once we have spoken hurtful words to someone we cannot take them back. The devastating effect on another person usually leaves them scarred, making it hard for them to forgive. Without humility, kind and thoughtful words, it’s more difficult for forgiveness to take place.
Don’t you hate having to listen? I know I do. Sometimes having to wait my turn to talk can take all the self-control I have. As God’s children, however, we should be living our lives differently than everyone else.
God says we should be quick to listen. That means that when we want to blurt out our ideas, and interrupt others, we have to challenge ourselves to listen instead. When we want to talk and share our point of view, we should be seeking to speak slowly instead. When we want to lose our cool and get mad, we should be slow to be angry instead.
That can seem overwhelming, can’t it? You might think, there’s no way you can remember to do these things and to be self-controlled.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to. Instead, you can ask the Holy Spirit to be your helper. He can help you understand the tough things and also He can show you ways to make following God’s Word easier.
So today, don’t be discouraged. Don’t read things in the Bible and feel like you can’t do it. Instead realize that God has given you the help and empowerment you need to do good works for Him.
This passage brings about three basic principles to follow that help us approach our desire to anger.
The first is being “quick to hear”. This means that we should always listen to one another with an open and loving mind. The second is “slow to speak”. Upon hearing what the other has to say, this passage calls for wisdom in taking in what is being said and taking the time to formulate a gracious and wise response. The third and last is the most crucial “slow to anger”. If after all this time you feel as though the situation is escalating, these first two steps should have slowed down your desire to anger and be patient. Responding in anger, is one of the easiest things for the human flesh to do.
Our defense mechanisms are always quick to kick into high gear and the inner lawyer within us suddenly becomes our highest skill. Yet God calls us to be slow to anger. This does not mean taking our time in becoming anger, the slowness means that if you are wise in your thinking and acting towards a situation, then you won’t end up becoming angry at all.
It’s always regretful when we allow our flesh full control. Thank God for His word that reveals to us who we are in Him. What He says about us is greater than what anyone else thinks or says of us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. This is why we must deal with our tongue and be a faithful witness to others. Friends, we should be the peacemakers, self-controlled and spirit-filled believers; using our tongues wisely just as Jesus did. He knew what to say, when to say it and how to say it a perfect example for us to follow.
Let us take to heart James words, and be wise men or women, who are quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, particularly in the things of the Lord. May we be those who really hear the Word of the Lord, meditating on the words of wisdom that come from scripture. And may our response to God's voice be seasoned with salt and honouring to our Heavenly Father!!!
Father, thank You for this day and Your Word and the wise instructions it contains. Lord, pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord, we know that having a quick temper and easily becoming angry does not benefit us or those around us and does not glorify You. Help us to put into practice Your wisdom and gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word, stirs up anger. Help us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Lord use us to be the light of Your love to all today.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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