A Faith That Obeys
James 1:19 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."
James urges us to prioritize listening. We are called to "hurry up and listen" to God's Word and His voice in our lives.
He also instructs us to "be slow to speak," encouraging us to ponder before we respond, especially in matters of faith.
Finally, we are to be "slow to anger," recognizing that human anger often hinders the work of God's righteousness.
Life Application:
This week, make a conscious effort to listen more than you speak in your interactions, both with God and with others.
Before reacting in anger to a situation, take a moment to pause and consider if your anger is aligned with God's righteousness.
James 1:20 "for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Definition: Unjust anger is a wrongful and unreasonable desire for revenge stirred up by unjust causes. It does not seek God's glory or the good of others and is often expressed towards innocent people.
Cause 1: Self-love:
An unbiblical love for ourselves, prioritizing our desires above God and others, often leads to unjust anger.
We tend to give ourselves excessive grace and mercy but readily magnify the sins of others, even justifying our own similar failings.
When we love ourselves more than God, we may feel entitled to praise and honor, leading to anger when we perceive we've been wronged. This can cause us to dwell on offenses, fostering revenge in our hearts.
Life Application:
Examine your own heart this week. Do you find yourself more readily extending grace to yourself than to others?
Are there situations where your self-love has fueled anger and resentment? Strive to love your neighbor as yourself, as Jesus commanded, extending the same understanding and forgiveness you desire for yourself.
Cause 2: Pride:
Pride, often a fruit of self-love, causes us to have an inflated view of ourselves.
Prideful people tend to be quick to speak and slow to hear, believing they always know what is wrong without careful consideration.
Impatience is often a characteristic of pride, where even minor offenses can trigger an avalanche of anger due to a perceived threat to one's honor and reputation.
Consider the example of Haman, whose prideful anger over Mordecai's refusal to honor him led to a desire for extreme revenge.
Life Application:
Be mindful of your reactions this week. Are you quick to judge and slow to listen?
Do you find yourself easily offended when your opinions are challenged or when you feel slighted?
Ask God to reveal any areas of pride in your heart and pray for humility to value others and their perspectives.
Cause 3: Covetousness (Greed):
An excessive desire for wealth, fame, and worldly accomplishments can lead to dark anger when these ambitions are not realized.
When individuals focused on worldly gain fail to achieve their goals, their anger can manifest, sometimes even within their own families, if they perceive their loved ones as hindering their prosperity and dreams.
Life Application:
Evaluate your priorities this week. Are you placing excessive value on worldly success and material possessions?
Are there areas where your unmet ambitions are causing anger or frustration in your relationships
Seek to align your desires with God's will and recognize that true fulfillment comes from Him, not from earthly achievements.
Cultivating a Faith That Obeys
Putting Away Sinful Desires: James calls us to "put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness," which includes the root causes of unjust anger: self-love, pride, and greed.
Receiving the Implanted Word with Meekness: We are to humbly come to God's Word, laying aside our anger and defensiveness.
The Promise of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34): God promised a new covenant where He would put His law within us and write it on our hearts.
The Role of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27): God gives us a new heart and puts His Spirit within us, enabling us to walk in His statutes and obey His rules. The Spirit of God, through the Word of God, empowers us to obey.
Four Types of Disciples: Hearing and Doing God's Word
1. “Swift to hear and swift to lose.” This disciple understands quickly but forgets just as easily. Like pouring water into a cracked bucket, the message doesn't take lasting root.
2. “Slow to hear and slow to lose.” This disciple takes longer to understand but remembers for a lifetime, like a seed that takes time to grow into a strong tree.
3. “Swift to hear and slow to lose.” This is the ideal disciple who understands quickly and remembers well, having the best of both worlds.
4. “Slow to hear and swift to lose.” This is the least effective disciple who takes a long time to understand and forgets anyway, often indicating a lack of care or engagement.
Conclusion:
A faith that truly obeys is marked by a willingness to listen intently, a carefulness in our speech, a slowness to anger, a putting away of sin, and a humble reception of God's implanted Word. May we all strive to cultivate a faith that not only hears but also actively and consistently obeys the truth, bringing glory to God in all that we do.
