James 1:19-20

Scripture: James 1:19-20

19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

  

Observations:

This passage makes me think of how talkative I am.  I don't always feel like a good listener (I've been told I am but sometimes I dont see it from here). I need to make sure I'm slower to speak (without stifling my personality! The Lord loves my personality, He crafted it) but rather more CAREFUL with what I say. Also working on being a better listener and not letting distractions get in the way of my paying attention, or my own responsive thoughts stop me from listening. With anger it's funny how sometimes I'm so slow to be angry, yet there are some tiny things that get me fired up. Prime example is my phone when it goes crazy. It's gonna be great for me to be away from a cell phone for 11 months haha!

 

Application:

Just looking into our own lives and seeing those 3 areas... what comes out of our mouths, how good we are at listening, and how quickly and what causes us to be angry. We need to not just "acknowledge" those issues, but also make intentional moves to correct them. If we need to make amends to somebody we've hurt because of those 3 things, that may be another good way to apply this verse.

 

Prayer:

Father, we are so thankful that You are slow to anger with us! We sometimes are the very opposite of verse 19. I praise You for bearing with the works-in-progress that we are, and allowing trials to reveal those areas and refine us. Help us to take the extra moment to think before we speak or become angry, and to be careful listeners. We love You and we want to live the righteous lives You desire. In Christ's name I pray, amen!