James 1:19-21

Passage

Have this understanding, my beloved brothers and sisters: Let all people be quick in listening, slow in speaking, and slow in anger.  For the anger of a man does not perform the righteousness of God.  Therefore, lay aside all moral impurity and abundant wickedness and in broken submission receive the implanted Word – the one that is powerful enough to save your soul.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

James gives profound advice here.  Let all people be quick to listen.  This is striking to me, because I know our culture is not one of listening.  It is not a culture where we take time to hear what other people are saying.  It is a culture where we plan our response while other people are talking.  We are a very self-centered culture and it shows no more clearly than in our ability – or lack thereof – to listen.  Yet, James tells us that the ability to listen and not speak is to be prized among us as disciples of Jesus Christ.  This makes sense, because as disciples we need to be able to listen to God as well as listen to others in order to be able to speak to them about what God desires them to hear.  We should be a people of listening!

What are you more focused on doing – listening or speaking?  Is there a right place for both?  How do you know when you should be speaking and when you should be listening?

Second Thought:

Anger does not perform the righteousness of God.  We must also hear this verse in the context of the verse before it.  James is talking about living a life of listening first.  So this anger that James speaks is anger that really comes out of putting yourself first.  It is an anger that comes out of not having your way.  Anger that is derived from our self-monger is never righteous and it never brings about God’s righteousness.

What makes you angry?  Are there certain things that make you angry?  Are there certain ways that you live your life that increases your chance for being angry?  How are these unhelpful for God?

Third Thought:

James 1:21 is an incredible verse.  To summarize: it is in our broken submission that we receive the most powerful stuff known to man.  Wow.  Broken submission.  The word used here in the Greek is an equestrian word that comes from the root word “praus.” (πραΰς)  It is a word used to describe a horse that is capable of being ridden because it has submitted to its rider.  The verb used here to describe the action of the implanted Word is “dynamai.” (δύναμαι)  You can see how it is the root word for our English word “dynamite.”  We aren’t talking about something that is able or capable.  We are talking about something that is powerful to come into life, throw its weight around, make changes, and come out the victor.  But to know that power, we must start with submission.  To know δύναμαι we must first know πραΰς.

How do you do with praus?  What makes it easier for you to be praus?  What makes it harder for you to be praus?

Passage for Tomorrow: James 1:22-25