James 1:19

Our Attitude Towards The Word of Truth

James now makes. quick shift from God's word, to our words. This is something which people in every generation need to heed. For we often rely upon our own human wisdom rather than the wisdom available to us in the Scriptures. In addition, seeing that we live in. world which will contain many trials (James 1:2); in which we need wisdom to survive (James 1:5), and in which we can turn the wholesome into the perverted by being selfish (James 1:14), it is essential to recognize that we don't have the answers to life within ourselves!

James 1:19 'This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;'

'This you know' -Side reference NASV, 'Or, "Know this". We all have the problem of not putting into practice what we already know. Reminding people of what they already know is. constant need among Christians (2 Peter 1:12). See also Ephesians 5:5 and Hebrews 12:17.

'let everyone' -all Christians need this teaching. One never reaches. point in their relationship with God that they don't need to be 'quick to hear', etc…It is easy to become arrogant and think that you have progressed to. point that you know it all and that you don't need to listen to what others have to say.

'quick to hear' -as in. quick and attentive ear. We can often listen rather carelessly, we can also listen to what only sounds good to our ears (2 Timothy 4:3). In the context, attentive hearing is especially needed in reference to the word of truth (James 1:18). (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:18 'Therefore take care how you listen'; Hebrews 3:7; Hebrews 4:2; Proverbs 15:31; Proverbs 18:13.

Points To Note:

1. This applies to every Christian, we can never grow beyond our need for truth or good advice from others (Proverbs 9:9). 2. One cannot become. doer of the Word (James 1:22ff), if one is not paying close attention to what God is saying. 3. Quick to hear, also means that we are EAGER and anxious to hear what God has said. 'the really good man will be much more anxious to listen to God than arrogantly, garrulously (talkative) and stridently to shout his own opinions' (Barclay p. 65). 'a fast and attentive mind…a ready disposition to listen.' (Woods p. 74) We must be eager to hear the Word of God, rather than listen to our own ideas. In addition, attentive hearing was especially important to these Christians, for most of them they did not possess their own personal copy of the Scriptures. Most of them were dependent upon hearing it read (see Nehemiah 8:1; 1 Timothy 4:13).

'slow to speak' -The Bible places. tremendous importance upon the ability to control what you say (Proverbs 13:3; Proverbs 15:28; Proverbs 17:27; Proverbs 21:23; Ecclesiastes 2:7; James 1:26; James 3:1 ff).

Points To Note:

1. Often people will say, 'The first response you usually think of is the right response'. God questions this conviction. In fact, the verse infers that man doesn't have some inner light which guides him inherently into the truth and neither is the Holy Spirit controlling our lives so that we make all the right decisions. 2. Often, the first thing we say is the wrong thing. We need to let the word of God determine our response (1 Peter 4:11), we need to ask ourselves, 'What would be. response that would please God?' 3. Too often we excuse our rash words and careless speech. God views what we say as. tremendous indicator of our character (Matthew 12:36). 'The Rabbis had. saying that we have two ears and one tongue, and our tongue was put behind. wall of teeth to control it.' (Draper p. 52) 'The tribute was once paid to. great linguist that he could be silent in seven different languages.' (Barclay p. 65)

'and slow to anger' -Rash speaking is often the result of anger and can add more fuel to the fire (Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 15:1).

Points To Note:

1. God believes that anger can be controlled! (Proverbs 14:29) That we can keep righteous indignation from degenerating into. selfish form of anger (Ephesians 4:26). 2. Often people are angry because the Bible says something that they don't want to hear, especially something about themselves (Galatians 4:16). 3. For most people, anger doesn't result in killing someone, or even hitting them, but in saying untrue, harsh, and cruel things about them. Gossip, slander, lying, are all forms of verbal anger. 4. Preachers need to be very careful that they don't take out their frustrations on the congregation. 'Those who are so certain they are right must be cautioned against wrathful argument.' (Kent p. 63)