My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:19-25
Scripture Notes
If we look deeper into Scripture, we do not find a rulebook or a purely scientific, historical, or literary text. We discover a reconnection of our spirit to its Maker. Being quick to hear is not a recommendation for social life, but a way of living. This is not just for the people around us, but for us to be open and listen to the Lord’s direction. How can we hear His voice if we are always talking over Him? We are quicker to speak than to listen because we have an overly confident belief that we know better. But this is folly. As believers, we must exercise self-control over our what we say and listen well, not just to God, but with other people too.
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
—Epictetus
Not only are we to be quick to listen and slow to speak, but we are also not to be quick to become angry. Lately, many people have justified their anger as righteous, believing that they are standing up for God. Evil means to justify a seemingly righteous end is a twisted notion not of God, but of man. The wisest of men, Solomon, understood that it was better to be slow to anger than to be considered mighty. Man’s anger, whatever its intention, will always be tainted by the flesh. Our human nature acts in self-interest, personal ambition, prejudice, greed, and a desire to put ourselves above God.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.Proverbs 16:32
How do we work toward being open to listening, have self-control with our words, and not be quick to become angry and defensive? We have to look to our own hearts and minds. Removing vices, distractions, temptations, and corruption is not enough. We need to replace our sinfulness with things that will bring light, peace, clarity, truth, joy, hope, and love. In humility, we can accept our failings and strive to turn away from ourselves and focus more on God.
A great place to start to make a change is by reading Scripture. The word implanted is not academic, but spiritual. We must live and breathe the Word, not just know the words. We are called to be doers, not just hearers. The Word has a three-dimensional capacity to be infused in people’s real lives, and it is a degradation to limit it to two-dimensional pages. Scripture is not something to give a passing glance to, but is to be studied, reflected on, and put into practice daily.
Because many people, even believers, see the Bible as a list of what not to do, they often underestimate and misunderstand the direction it offers. We are not asked to exercise restraint and discipline to avoid the joys of life. We are invited to receive joy beyond what man can offer. Freedom is not from entitlement or domination, but from liberation from death. Where the world desires power, wealth, and superiority, those who follow the Lord should seek mercy, truth, and peace. Meekness does not make us feeble. In fact, patience and gentleness are a sign of wisdom, inner strength, and self-control.
For jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:16-18
MEMORY VERse
Peter Vilhelm Ilsted. Sunshine in an Interior, 1920. The Cleveland Museum of Art
Related Verses
More verses about wisdom and humility:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- Are there specific environments, situations, or topics that lead you to be too quick to speak or quick to become angry instead of listening? How can you begin to pause and be more intentional about listening to the Lord and to those around you more? How can you begin to seek peace rather than division?
- What corruption and wickedness do you need to eliminate from your life, and what can you replace it with instead? What habits or daily patterns can you change or make more time for to receive God’s word?
- How can you better accept Scripture with humility even when His word challenges culture, lifestyle, or personal opinions? Do you find that you are trying to control too much?
- In what ways are you showing rather than telling people about your faith? How can you begin to reflect more deeply on the bible rather than giving the holy word an infrequent glance from time to time?
- Have you ever experienced true freedom through obedience, or are you stuck in complacency by prioritizing convenience? What teaching of the Lord are you being called on to obey even if it leads to humility and sacrifice?
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