James 1:19-25
1:19. Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
1:20. for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
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.
1:22. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
1:23. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
1:24. for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
1:25. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Listen to the Word.
In this first part of the book of James, it teaches that bad things happen. Nobody likes it when a trial, or trouble pops up on us. It makes us mad, frustrated, indignant. Our most often responce is one of anger. Our first inclination is to shout some strong words, most probably some ones that cross the boundary of being a sin. We might be inclined to fight back or struggle. This is the prime opportunity where we need to short circuit ourselves. and apply what we have learned so far in this chapter of James.
It’s time to be quick to listen. Go against all instinct and shut down all actions and words that have boiled up. Listen, take in the details of this new trouble that has dropped in your lap. Whip out that quick prayer for wisdom from God, and let the storm clouds roll.
This is torture, I know, but the words of anger that were about to erupt, the rage of man, is not a thing that honors God. Being quick to listen, and slow to words or actions gives time to learn all the details. It allows you to step back and see how those choice words or actions that were intended would only make things worse. It gives that split second of time that is needed for God to instill his wisdom into you. Wisdom that provides better words to say. Words and action that can resolve things.
It’s one thing to know about these facts, details, and methods. Put them into practice. Condition your mind with these kind of correct responces, then actually do them. Until the word of God is applied, it isn’t of any benefit to anybody.