Good Listeners, Pt. 1 (2)

James 1:19–21 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Opening Question: Are you a good listener? Are you really a good listener?

Inattentive listening is annoying at best. At worst, it can get us in big trouble.

Imagine being summoned to court Wednesday at 4, but you heard Wednesday the 4th and missed your court date. Now you’re in jail for failture to appear.

In our attention economy, advertisers are paying big bucks for our attention. More distraction than ever!

Good listening is becoming harder and harder every day because listening requires attention.

FCF: As sinful human beings, we are prone to struggle with listening to what we are supposed to hear.

Main Point: The gospel transforms how we listen.

I. Gospel people are quick to hear (v.19-20)

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James likely has in mind being quick to hear God’s voice.

God’s voice: the “word of truth” gives life (v. 18); Bible is “the implanted word” (v. 21).

Connection phrase: “know this” (v. 19a); This is a message for Christians.

One of the most vital aspects of the Christian life: hearing God’s voice.

Christians have spiritual eyes and ears given through the gospel.

We have the privilege of hearing from God in His Word. Will we listen?

James also has in mind being quick to hear or listen to others.

Quick to hear happens with slow to speak and slow to anger; relational language.

James’ point is clear. Before you talk, listen. Before you get angry, listen.

This is similar to wisdom found in the proverbs:

Prov 18:13: If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Prov 18:17: The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

Alec Motyer: “The great talker is rarely a great listener, and never is the ear more firmly closed than when anger takes over”.

What is James’ reason?

A failure to listen (esp. In conflict) is a fast track to unrighteous, sinful anger.

Doesn’t say never talk or get angry. But listening can change OUR whole perspective/response.

Anger isn’t always sinful (be angry but don’t sin, Eph. 4:26), but it’s often unrighteous.

Human anger doesn’t produce righteousness—a godly, pleasing life. It’s impossible.

App: How do we become quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger?

To hear God, listen to the voice of Christ. We hear the Lord through His “implanted” Word (Heb. 1)

To hear others, we listen with Christlike humility. We give them: 1. Attention 2. Love 3. Patience. 4. Kindness 5. Grace/forgiveness

When we speak, we speak with graciousness. Col. 4:6: speak graciously, seasoned with salt.

When we feel anger rising up, we pray. We don’t rush to anger. Prov. 14:29: hasty temper=folly.

Transition: As we grow in our listening, will we follow the flesh or follow Jesus?

II. Gospel people refuse to listen to wickedness (v.21a)

Ill: Describe Getting in trouble because someone told you to do something dumb; Listening to wrong voice!

Wrong voices want our attention.

We’ve already seen that there is sin within us and outside of us: filthiness and rampant wickedness.

The blessed man doesn’t listen to the counsel of the wicked (Ps. 1).

In the noisy chaos of this sinful world, Christ’s sheep hear His voice!

Grace trains us to reject the voices of sin.

James uses “therefore”. If we are quick to listen to God’s Word and to others, we will put away sin.

We can’t hear the voice of God when our ears are clogged by the dirt of filthiness and wickedness.

Filthiness: shabby dirty clothes; physical dirt and nastiness. Like dirt on the skin.

Wickedness: general wickedness of the mind; internal corruption that overflows.

Imagery of putting away sin: taking off dirty clothes; it’s a decisive action that we commit to.

God empowers us to put sin to death.

This is spiritual work we do in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13).

We can only kill sin because we are united with Christ. Rom 6: We are crucified with Him and don’t let sin reign. By grace, we are dead to sin and refuse to use our bodies to do unrighteous deeds.

Killing sin = putting off the old self (sins that show up) and putting on the new self (righteousness).

Are you listening to the Spirit? What sins is He calling you to put away? He gives grace to do it!

Transition: One of the greatest ways to stop listening to the voice of sin is to prioritize hearing God’s voice.

III. Gospel people humbly listen to the word of God.

We actively pursue and receive God’s Word.

Illustration: Compare hearing a concert from outside versus going in to listen. Receiving the Word is going in to listen. It’s intentional. It’s active. It benefits us to take that action.

Receiving the Word, as James puts it, requires faith. We listen to God and we trust Him in faith.

Christian obedience is driven by trusting that God’s Word is truthful and good for our souls.

The Word of God is planted in us.

The “implanted Word” was placed in us at salvation and continues to bear fruit; cf. Jesus’ seed parable

This language resembles Ezekiel 36:27: “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

The Word isn’t something external to change behavior—it’s internal and transforms our hearts.

We must receive the Word in humility.

Meekness: Submitting to God with a gentle disposition or demeanor; not pride, anger, or arrogance.

We don’t stand above the Word, telling God what to do. What don’t stand apart from the Word, judging whether or not we think God is right. We don’t stand against the Word as enemies of God. We humbly place ourselves under the Word!

God’s Word is powerful! Our anger can’t save. Our wisdom can’t save. God’s gospel saves souls!

Conclusion: When we receive the gospel message by faith, it transforms how we respond at the heart level.

I’ll ask the question again: Are you a good listener?

Do you listen to God’s Word? Jesus said, “my sheep hear my voice”. Do you listen for him?

When people talk do you listen to them? Or are you jus preparing to shut them down in anger?

The gospel is the power to transform us into good listeners. Jesus was the greatest listener.

He listened to His Father’s perfect will. He was silent on the way to the cross. He took the Father’s JUST wrath for our sin. He gave us His righteousness! Will you trust in Him this morning?! It’s time to LISTEN to Him!