Listening and Doing

James 1:

19My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.


 21 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. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 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.


26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.


I pray that God will use this text to draw us closer to Him.  This week's verses came to me at the perfect time- doesn't it always happen like that?  God has the perfect timing and His Word brings light to our sometimes dim circumstances.  I love how as I dig into the Bible, God reminds me what path I (and my family) should take.  Our relationship with Christ is personal and the Holy Spirit lifts the personal messages to our souls off the page each time we open His book.  Let me share with you what message I received this week...  


19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Verse 19 has been playing over and over in my mind the past couple of weeks.  2 of my kids have been rather quick to anger recently.  One of them exhibits anger probably because she can't yet communicate (Have one of your children or your friend's children ever gone through that excruciatingly loud squeal phase? We are loving that right now :-)), but the other kiddo just needs to practice self control and be obedient to God's Word.  As do I, man, as do I...slow to speak, slow to become angry...   In verse 19 James says "Brothers and Sisters"-men and women, "Everyone"-no exclusions, children and adults alike, "should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." James did not say it is ok to be angry when your anger seems justified or to speak freely as soon as your thoughts can reach your mouth.  How many times do you speak when you should stay silent?  For me, too many times to count.  I have been more aware of this weakness in my flesh and have been trying to exercise more self discipline in listening and being more slow to speak.  I love what Proverbs 10:19 says, "when there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." Self control and tongue restraint produce wisdom. 


On a side note, as I searched God's Word for more on anger I ran across Proverbs 16:32 which I thought was perfect to share with my little boy, who's name means "Brave Protector."  He has a lot of respect for the "mighty" super heroes and brave animals of this world and like myself and many other little boys, he is practicing self control.  I am going to be pouring this scripture into his little soul over the next few weeks.  "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit (or practices self control),is better than he who captures a city."


James says in verse 20 that if we do not restrain our anger, we will not produce the "righteousness that God desires."  What does it mean to be righteous?  According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, righteousness means "to be acting in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin."  In ridding ourselves from anger and excess talk, we are "acting in accord with divine law."  We are more Christlike.  This is my ultimate desire- to be more Christlike, to be righteous in the eyes of God. 


 21 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. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 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.

Verse 21 says it plain and simply- get rid of all that "filth!"  Clean up our mouths and accept His Word as stated above that is planted in our hearts. "That which will save us" is a call to action to get rid of the sin in our hearts and with humility, embrace God's Word. Hearing is not the same as listening, absorbing, and then reacting to what you have heard.  Just as it is stated in Luke 6:46-49:  46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”


Do you want to have your house built on the solid rock?  To not be carried away by each trial, struggle, or transition?  We must not only listen, but walk out our identity in Christ.  The freedom of knowing that our foundation is solid, allows us to live life fully, not hesitating or grieving over each challenge. God will bless our obedience.


26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.


It is hard not to be influenced by this world.  To rein in our tongues...1 John 2:15-17 reminds us that this world and all the culture, gossip, and sin it has to offer is not our home- it is just a temporary resting place.  1 John 2:15-17  says "15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."  Because this world is not our home, we should not be influenced by it.  We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and be doers of His Word- loving others and picking each other up when we are in times of need.  In doing so, we are welcoming others into our religion, the religion of our God the Father, Jesus Christ.


Looking forward to studying James 2: 1-13 next week!  Have a wonderful week!  As always, feel free to post comments of anything that God shared with you regarding these verses this week...  I am grateful to you for joining me in this study :-)


M