Quick and Slow
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This morning, we will continue where we left off last week in giving practical advice from God’s Word in dealing with the troubles of the world around us. Last week we read that the battle that rages is not physical battle, but instead is a spiritual one. Here is the text from Ephesians:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
If we can keep in mind that all of the turmoils and struggle that is happening is a result of the devil’s schemes, we would find ourselves that much more able to deal with what is happening.
Last week we talked through how to put on armor before heading out into the world. if you missed it, catch the message on Youtube or on our Facebook page. If you prefer a CD, one can be made for you.
Today, we are going to look at the book of James and get some additional practical advice on dealing with the world we live in. Turn with me to James 1, staring with verse 19.
We are going to read through verse 27 and then talk through the passage...
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. 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.
This passage is pretty much going to preach itself as we go through it...
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Underline these word in this passage… Quick to listen, Slow to speak, slow to become angry
These are our first 3 commands from this passage. There are 7 total commands in this passage. Let’s dig in
Be quick to hear/listen (19)
How much of what is going on right now might be solved if everyone just took the time to listen.
I have tried to do this more as I personally navigate through all that is going on. Here are some tips on how to better hear/listen:
Ask questions. Questions such as: What do you mean by…? Can you tell me more about…? How would you change things to make them better?
Restate what was said: “If I am understanding correctly, this is what you are saying...”
Listening/hearing requires us to give our attention and not speak.
Be slow to speak (19)
There is deeper meaning to this phrase in the Greek. It really could say something like slow to blurt out a defensive response
I have gotten myself into trouble responding too quickly. Often my response is something that has been brewing and waiting for just the right time to come out. Regret usually follows quickly after.
When speaking too quickly, we don’t always have all of the information and look pretty dumb. Proverbs says this...
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Be slow to become angry (19)
Here’s the thing…Unchecked anger, results in unchecked speech.
Nothing will harm a relationship more than unchecked anger and speech. Very little you have to say will matter if you lash out in anger.
20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Verse 20 tells us that our anger keeps us from producing the righteousness that God desires from us.
What is the difference between godly anger and human anger? A quick way might be to ask - Is this something Jesus would be angry about?
Jesus was not angry about being mistreated, but he was angry about the temple courts being defiled.
Would Jesus be angry about you being called a name? Sad...yes, angry...no.
When we get defensive because of our anger, we’re again fighting the way the devil wants us to. This is part of his scheme…keep us fighting and angry.
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.
Get rid of moral filth and evil (21)
I’ve seen a pattern in my own life. Those times I’ve given in to temptation, I am quicker tempered and defensive.
The solution is to get rid of the moral filth and evil around us. Get it out of our lives.
The Greek word for get rid literally means to take off or strip away. I love watching car shows and before they can paint it nice, they must get rid of the rust. if they don’t, the problem will just reappear again at a later time.
Humbly accept the word (21)
The way we get rid of the junk is to allow the word to influence us in our actions and thoughts.
This refers to the word planted in us at the time of salvation. The word used here in the Greek refers to a growing within us.
Humility is how we both approach the word and grow as a result.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Do what it (the word) says (22)
This is both the written word (Bible) and the word within us - The Holy Spirit.
To not do what the word says is to be a hypocrite.
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.
This is not just the physical looking in the mirror - when we take the time to evaluate our life and examine ourselves, we are looking into a spiritual mirror. The truth of the word tells us that we are redeemed and forgiven by God’s grace through Jesus.
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.
The result of doing what the word says is freedom and blessing.
Don’t forget who you are in Christ. Don’t forget! Act accordingly.
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.
Look after orphans and widows in their distress
In Bible times, orphans and widows needed help in order to survive. There were no government programs to take care of them. Followers of Christ were to step up and help.
Likewise, our mission should be to help those who need the help.
Be quick to listen,
Slow to speak
Slow to become angry
Get rid of moral filth and evil
Humbly accept the word
Do what the word says
Look after the helpless