Quick to Hear, Slow to Speak & Slow to Show Wrath

James 1:19-20 (KJV)
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:26 (ASV)
26 If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Trailer for the 1940 black and white film The Grapes of Wrath. Charley Grapewin as Grandpa William James Joad. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Quick to Hear, Slow to Speak & Slow to Show Wrath

In today’s world, everybody is a rock star. Camera phones and social media allow us to strut, preen and act out our very own privately scripted movie, which we can share with millions of people at any point in time. The problem is that in our culture of self-importance, there is a huge population of people who believe that whatever thoughts or responses they have are right, simply because it came from their mind or heart.

Our new attitude toward self importance includes a sizeable population who feel as though their words belong in your ear, and that whatever they are thinking should be what you think as well. This broadcast mentality includes too many people who believe that they have a right to show rage whenever they want to. There are too many who move quickly from rage to wrath, which is anger with murderous intent.

James 1:19-20 makes it clear: Jumping into wrath is dangerous, because your wrath cannot accomplish the will of God. Your wrath does not accomplish the will of God because it comes from your personal indulgence in self worship. It presumes that you are right. It presumes that someone else should be subject to your will. Hmmm, does that sound familiar? Can anybody say “idolatry”?

This quick hearing and quick speaking group is well populated by Christians. But, James 1:26 warns us that if you think you are religious and yet do not bridle your tongue, then your religion is vain. The word vain as it is used here means futile or barren. Because we worship the true and living God, our worship should also rest in truth, not emptiness.

Remember, that we will one day have to give an account for every word we speak. We can never be too modern and cool to ignore sound advice. So, today, and everyday, be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

Don’t forget to Bless God & Be a blessing to someone today.

Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

Verneda