Respond - Don’t React Greg Weston This title is reflective of the words of James. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19, 20). Too many children of God speak before they think. We need to be slow to speak. That is, we need to give some thought about what we say, and how to say it. This includes our speaking on Biblical subjects, but it also extends to our responses every day. It should begin in the church, fill the home, and filter through society. Remember, we are guided by the will of God and not the practice of the world. At the same time we need to be quick to hear. We need to hear all a person says, and how they say it. This is part of communication. When we understand truly what they say we can learn from them. When necessary we can also more effectively teach them - if we first are able to accurately perceive their current state of understanding. Now if we are quick to hear, and slow to speak, there may be some times of silence. This is good. This is a time to think and decide what to answer and how to answer. A third part of James’ admonition is slow to wrath. Just think for a moment if all were perfect in being quick to hear and slow to speak. If each person thoughtfully contemplated what the other was actually saying rather than what they thought they were saying, many disagreements would be avoided. While this is not the direct point of James comment, there is that benefit that even in this situation a person will be slower to wrath. But, James seems to point toward a situation of self-control. Despite the situation, self-control is a key factor in life. Parents must demonstrate self-control so their children will learn it. This demonstration is to toward all. What do we say about others? How to we respond to others? Are we quick to get angry, and do we allow that anger to control our actions? When we control our hearing, our speech, and our responses there will be much less anger in our lives. The inspired writer, James, provides us the mean to produce the righteousness of God: quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath. Now we have the joyful task of perfecting our lives in the sight of God as we apply these three characteristics. But we also have one another to assist us in this application. Let us work together for maturity in the Lord!
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 09:00:29 +0000
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