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James 1:19-20
James gives us very practical and proven advice in this passage of James 1:19-20 to (NKJV), “be swift to hear” which is to simply take the time to listen to what others are saying. He then goes on to give instructions to be, “slow to speak” which is a separate instruction from being swift to listen but in being swift to listen indicates being quiet while doing so, and as a result one will be slow to speak. In this, one should take the time to think about what one is about to speak before it is spoken. And the third very important part of this passage is that one should be, “slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19d-20).
This is a command to take the time to listen; to God and to others that God has put in our lives.
This is a command to not speak in haste, but that our words be respectful to God and others.
This is a command to not pursue wrath; as it, “does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).
This passage should speak to us all – no one is to escape this teaching. We all should listen to others more. We all can be part of the healing process for our families and loved ones if we will simply take the time to listen to them.
We all have a tendency to speak too soon and in harsh ways that only leads to producing conflict in our anger and disagreement. We all can make the world a better place if we will stop and think about what we are about to say, before we say it. We should strive to incur healing – not discontentment.
And about wrath; it is God’s place to avenge, not ours. Jesus taught forgiveness and is practical in seeking God’s will for our lives. We have all experienced treatment from others that we would like to pour out our wrath on the ones who hurt us, but we are taught in Proverbs 25:21-22 (NIV), “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”
Dear LORD,
The sinful nature of this world battles with our spirits each day to prevent us from following Your will for our lives. But Your ways are better than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and our focus and faith need to be on what You would have of us in growing in our righteousness in our Savior Christ Jesus. Please help us to follow Your ways for our lives in the repentance that we live each day from the sinful nature. Please help us to reflect Jesus in our lives to all those around us and throughout the world. In Jesus name I pray, amen.