How to Live a Balanced

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James 1:19–27 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. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

What is a balanced Christian life? or balanced Christian living?

Intro: Warning

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James B. The Danger of Listless Listening (vv. 19–27)

This passage warns against pretending instead of listening, deceiving instead of obeying, and talking instead of serving.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James B. The Danger of Listless Listening (vv. 19–27)

This passage warns against pretending instead of listening, deceiving instead of obeying, and talking instead of serving.

This passage warns against pretending instead of listening, deceiving instead of obeying, and talking instead of serving.

I. Balanced Christianity comes from hearing the Word of God. (1:19-20)

James 1:19–20 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Hear the Word readily. v. 19

James encourages the church to pursue “hearing the Word”, and avoid hasty speech and unrighteous anger.

be quick to listen

Jewish Tradition: Held that a person should always listen more than speak. The foolish talk much.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 11:12 ESV

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Prov. 17:28

Proverbs 17:28 ESV

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Hear the Word quietly. v. 19

Charles Wesley wrote a Hymn called “When quiet in my room I sit”

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Willingness to Receive the Word with Submission

When quiet in my room I sit,

Thy book be my companion still;

My joy Thy sayings to repeat,

Talk o’er the records of Thy will,

And search the oracles divine

Till every heartfelt word is mine.

When quiet in my house I sit, Thy book be my companion still; My joy Thy sayings to repeat, Talk o'er the records of Thy will, And search the oracles divine, Till every heart-felt word be mine.

Hear the Word calmly. v. 19-20

Man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

The anger prohibited by this passage is not so much a flashing destructive temper as a simmering pot of hostile, mean-spirited feelings.

II. Balanced Christianity comes from receiving the Word of God. (1:21)

Wickedness must be rejected.

Before God’s Word can produce His righteousness in us, we must renounce and put away sin in our lives that stands between us and that righteousness.

The word “filthiness” refers to any sort of moral defilement or impurity. It is closely related to the term used for “wax in the ear”. How is this related? Wax impairs the hearing… moral filthiness is a serious barrier to clearly hearing and comprehending the Word of God.

The Word must take root.

James declares that real believers receive God’s word with “meekness” or “humility”.

Humility includes the very important quality of “teachableness” which is obviously most important when it comes to hearing and receiving God’s word.

The faithful balanced Christian WILL receive the Word with a submissive, gentle, and teachable spirit. One that is cleansed of pride, resentment, anger, and every form of moral corruption.

III. Balanced Christianity comes from doing the Word of God. (1:22-27)

Doing the Word involves personal responsibility. v. 22

James command literally is to “keep on becoming doers of God’s Word”. He insists on an obedience which lasts.

He is not de-emphasizing “hearing” but rather continuing the process… Hearing then Doing

A person who hears without doing decieves himself. He has made a false estimate of his situation.

Doing the Word involves personal reflection. v. 23-24

A balanced Christian looks in the mirror and see his true self as God’s word reveals it.

The analogy here is that the mirror represents God’s standard… The man who looks at God’s standard and walks away unchanged is considered foolish and deceived.

Sometimes we give a quick look at God’s word and move on without applying it to our lives. We hear God speak to us through a message and go away without action on it.

John 8:31–32 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Psalm 1:1–3 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Doing the Word involves personal remembrance. v. 25

The balanced Christian does not forget what they hear. They make sure to remember. They are intentional about it.

God’s Word is the perfect law that gives freedom. How? Obedience to Jesus’ commands in Scripture brings freedom from sin and death.

They make sure to remember. They are intentional.

Whenever we submit to God’s message, this law of liberty produces a disposition to obey God’s will joyfully. We have freedom because we truly want to serve God.

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John 8:31–32 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Doing the Word involves personal righteousness. v. 26-27

Committed believers demonstrate their obedience with deeds of compassion and inner purity.

Have control over your tongue. v. 26

This verse describes a person who considered himself to be **religious** but did not listen well to God’s Word. The person focused on the externals of religious action such as public prayer, fasting, giving, and worship attendance. James did not belittle this action, but he added that inner control of the tongue must accompany outward performance.

Have compassion for the needy. v. 27

Two evidences demonstrate pure religion: deeds of compassion and inner purity.

This does not reduce Christianity to mere benevolence. We cannot reduce effective ministry to benevolence alone. Just doing good will not cut it.

True religion has more features than James has mentioned. The emphasis here is that for God to accept our worship it must be accompanied by loving ministry and a holy life.

Have cleanliness in your lifestyle. v. 27

True religion has more features than James has mentioned. The emphasis here is that for God to accept our worship it must be accompanied by loving ministry and a holy life.

Applications

Face the trials of life with faith in God.

Ask God for insight whenever you fail to understand his ways in your life.

Accept responsibility for your own sins and failures.

Obey God’s Word when you hear it.

Be unselfish in service to others.

Separate yourself from sin.