James 1:19-20

The Proper Way to Deal with Trials

James 1:19–20 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

So Then,

In light of everything that has been said, “therefore”. James is addressing fellow Christians that are beloved by him. In fact James uses the term brethren or brother 19 times in this epistle.

No matter what happens in their trial, they are Christians and are related by the blood of Christ. There is no point where that relationship is threatened. They may be tried, they may endure and receive the crown of life (James 1:12) or they may fail and find premature death (James 1:15). Either way they are beloved brethren (James 1:16).

As a pastor preaching a message to his flock, James lays out truth. There are consequences to the way we live the Christian life. Rewards and punishments. Preaching must be balanced.

Swiftly Hear

James 1:19a “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear”

There will be a time to speak, but first listen. To be an overcomer in the trials of your faith you must first be quick to listen. Whether it is receiving an answer to prayer from the Father, hearing from the Lord through His Word, or receiving counsel form the pulpit ministry or a godly friend be a ready listener.

Proverbs 4:20 “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.”

Proverbs 18:15 “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

Proverbs 22:17 “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge;”

Psalm 83:1 “Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!”

Concentration on the Word the highest form of Worship

2 Ki 22:8 Hilkiah found the Book of the Law long lost,

2 Ki 22:11 the king, Josiah, found they were not quite following it but had added to it. He was angered and brought Israel back to worshipping God. He destroyed altars and anything that was not prescribed in the Book.

Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Pray before Study, Practice, then Teach

Nehemiah 8:8 “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.”

Slowly Speak

James 1:19b “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be … slow to speak … ”

In trials as in life, we like to talk. We are eager to open up and let our thoughts flow. James is not saying to keep it all in, and have a stiff upper lip. No, he is only saying be more ready to hear than to speak. Remember we have two ears and only one tongue.

Words that are uttered in haste can be devastating and not easily retracted.

Proverbs 17:27 “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”

Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”

Amos 5:13 “Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, For it is an evil time.”

The Tongue:

Listen more than you speak. James 1:19

Let words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 “Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.”

A soft answer. Proverbs 15:1–2 “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”

Don’t answer before you listen. Proverbs 18:13 “He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.”

A word in season Proverbs 15:23 “23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!”

Study to answer Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.”

When children learn to speak parents rejoice. Proverbs 23:15–16 “My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; 16 Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things.”

Maintain Your Cool

James 1:19c “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be … slow to wrath;”

It doesn’t say there should be no wrath, just not instant wrath. Deliberate.

It is said, “the emotions are wonderful servants, but terrible masters.” When we are in charge of our emotions, they can help us experience our world and express ourselves in it. However, when we are at the mercy of wild emotions we are like a toddler having a meltdown. Not a pretty situation. Anger is one of the most common reactions to trials. We might say, “why me, I don’t deserve to be treated like this, who do you think you are?” Some things are best left unsaid.

This is why in our trials we are to be slow to wrath if we are to humbly learn patience.

Proverbs 14:29 “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.” Proverbs 16:32 “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

Joel 2:13 “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.”

Jonah 4:2 “So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.”

Proverbs 19:11 “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.”

Proverbs 17:27 “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”

Righteousness of God

James 1:20 “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

As we grow closer to God and start to take on His image. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

As we grow, God delivers us through trials. What we learn adds to this glory. When we don’t learn, but react in anger we lose the righteousness God wants to impart to us.

When we are in a trial it is important to stand in the grace of God and not react in the flesh. Listening, speaking, and reacting can be done in grace or in the flesh. Grace leads to life and righteousness. The flesh reacting leads to wrath and disapproval.

Romans 10:3 “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” Don’t be so right that you’re wrong.