"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR EARS, TONGUES AND WILLS"
James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
James 1:20 “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James 1:21 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.
Some explanatory thoughts, applications and a prayer:
This is, of course, more simple practical teaching from our Lord on how to live our lives in Christ.
This is an important part of James because it deals with several parts of our lives that can be used in a way that either builds up or tears down.
1. We are to be swift to hear.
James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”
Here we are being instructed about being quick to do something.
That something has to do with our ears.
We are to be swift to hear what God has to say to us.
Or to put it another way, "We are to be quick to listen to God”.
In fact, it sure wouldn't hurt to be quick to listen to anyone speaking to us.
But for sure it's good and helpful to be ready to listen to our Lord.
God has so much to say to us.
2. We are to be slow to speak.
James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
Now on to our tongues or our speech.
We are to be slow to speak.
Listen more carefully, and speak more slowly.
How many times have we wished we had not said what we just said?
This is a good thing for us to pray about.
Asking the Lord to help us be more careful to think before we speak, and not be in such a rush to talk.
3. We are to slow to wrath.
James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
James 1:20 “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Now on to another subject entirely.
Wrath or anger.
Simply put, God is telling us to be slow to get angry.
It's so easy to get angry.
Even over the simplest and smallest of things.
But, here God is saying be slow to get angry.
Take your time with your thinking and your heart
Try to not let anger just well up in you and come out.
How many times have we had to say "I'm sorry”?
If we are more attentive to this teaching, we will not be so quick to get angry.
There is a reason given to us about this.
It's because anger can never make things right in God's sight.
4. We are to use our wills to lay aside sin, and receive God's Word into our hearts.
James 1:21 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
This has to do with putting sin out of our lives.
Laying aside means to get rid of.
Filthiness does not need any definition.
We all know filth when we see it have a part in it.
So, God says lay it aside.
What is "overflow of wickedness" mean?
It means evil.
So, filth and evil have no place in our lives.
It's not pleasing to God to allow them to remain in our lives.
Finally, we are to receive God's Word into our hearts
We are to humbly accept the message that God has for us from His Word.
Some Questions:
1. It's not too hard to relate to these verses is it?
2. Our ears, tongues and hearts are what we are made of if you will.
3. Let's ask the Lord to help us take His instruction and put it into practice.
A Prayer:
Heavenly Father, our Comforter and Helper, please help us to assimilate these verses and put them into practice.
These are powerful parts of our lives and powerful verses from Your Word.
We desire to honor You and need lot's of grace and help to do so.
Will You please help us, Lord?
In Jesus’ name we pray amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
