James 1:19-21
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
In the previous passage, (from Verse 2 to 18), James was giving instructions about the testing of our faith. And in this passage, he is talking about hearing and doing.
While we go through trials and testing of life, our attitude, or the responses changes. We may respond spontaneously without having a second thought. That’s why James is telling us to be cautious while responding. The words of the people around may force us to act spontaneously. But, listen to them completely with a smile.
While I completed my engineering, people started asking, “Haven’t you got any jobs? Haven’t you tried for any placement drives?” and many more questions. Initially, it was tough for me to answer them. Later, I came to understand that we can’t stop them from asking. Instead, just tell them, “I am waiting for God’s timing!” It’s done! I was surprised to see the change in people. They said, “Sure brother, we will be praying for you!” If I harshly responded to them, the relationship would have been ruined, and I will sin against God and man.
“Listen, open your ears, harness your desire to speak, and don’t get worked up into a rage so easily, my brothers and sisters. Human anger is a futile exercise that will never produce God’s kind of justice in this world.” Verse 19, 20. (The Voice Translation).
Open your ears: We have a habit of hearing partially. Loss of data can lead to misunderstanding. When someone is speaking, listen to them. Their tone, emotions, and concerns. An effective speaker is an active listener. If I am unable to listen properly, I can’t speak in accordance. As a result, the chance of beating around the bush will be high. Many people become angry as they fail to listen properly or they try to dominant over others by their voice.
Harness your desire to speak/bridle your urge to speak spontaneously: In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon speaks vividly about how to use your tongue. Prov. 21:23; 15:4, 28; 10:19. Later in this book, James clearly explains about taming the tongue (James 3:1-12).
Don’t get into a rage so easily: If we don’t listen and harness our desire to speak, we broke up quickly. The partial input we have can cause great trouble. Being quiet doesn’t mean that we are the weakest. It means that we have self-discipline.
Why we should be slow to anger?
If we are not slow to anger, we are building a hindrance to God’s righteousness. “Human anger is a futile exercise.” An exercise is something that needs the whole involvement of the person who is doing it. Therefore, harness (control, strap it up) your desire to speak.
What is God’s righteousness and what brings the righteousness of God?
Righteousness is a divine attribute of God. Righteousness means the act of being morally right and justifiable. He knows how to deal with each person and He is the greatest and the only true judge.
When we are through the testing phase, we may have to face people of different attitudes. When they approach us with negative influence, do not act in anger! Always remember, God is the righteous judge and He will repay the person! If we try to reply to them out of anger, it will stand as a hindrance for God to act. This not only deals with the anger towards people, it includes our attitude towards our self and GOD. In trials, we may get annoyed and murmur against GOD, it shows our arrogance towards GOD. So, always be careful in dealing with others, God, and to yourself- especially when you are through the testing phase of life! Anger will never make things right, it makes things worse!
How does anger arise?
Verse 21 says the answer to this question. “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
A seed grows if it gets ambient conditions. The same applies to anger as well. If our minds are filled with filthiness and wickedness, our thought process diverts from the channel of GOD to worldliness. The only way to overcome this is to receive the word of GOD with meekness. The word of GOD is like a filter that never allows us to speak bad against anyone or to GOD. If I don’t have this filter, I can’t lead a victorious life.
Hold on to the word of GOD, it has the power to save our souls from eternal torment.
