Saturday, August 23, 2008
James 3:19-21 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.
HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR . . .
James doesn't question whether his readers are Christians. In fact, he indicates that they are by calling them: "my beloved brethren (brothers)." He's reminding his readers: "Now you are Christians by faith in Christ. Now don't forget what it means to be a Christian." It means being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. It means you not only listen to the Word, but do what it says. It means you restrain your tongue and are willing to show love to others -- especially fellow believers. When we don't do these things, we show signs of forgetfulness . . .
Now I'll be the first to admit that I have a bad habit of cutting people off when they are trying to talk. I'm not very quick to hear. Furthermore, I am often too quick to shoot off my mouth, and I have the proverbial German temper. I need to work on being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. But notice that James clarifies what kind of hearing he means when he says: ". . . receive with meekness the implanted Word." He's talking especially about listening to God as He speaks in His Word.
As Christian men, women and children, we are to be quick to listen -- especially when God speaks. We are never to tire of hearing the Word (even when we've heard it over and over). We show signs that we are forgetting who we are when we grumble when presented with an opportunity to listen to His Word. We show signs that we are forgetting who we are when we begin to question or doubt that Word. It's also often a great benefit to listen when fellow Christians speak. We are to be slow to speak, because when people are talking, they aren't listening. We are to be slow to anger, because when people are angry they don't conduct themselves in a way that is right in God's sight. God help us to be silent and attentive when God speaks. God help us to receive the Word which has already been planted in our hearts by faith -- with meekness, without backtalk, disputing, or doubting. After all, the Word has the power to save our souls.
