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James 1:19b-20 “... But everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger; (20) for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”
In a controversy, the instant we feel anger; we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves. -- Thomas Carlyle.
James tells us in verse 19 that “everyone” should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James gives us the best advice in the world for conflict; “Be quick to listen”. Often times in personal conflict, when people are saying things that we would rather not hear, we refuse to listen and begin to think of what to say in rebuttal. That is the very beginning of an argument that leads to anger. When we are conteplating a rebuttal then we're NOT LISTENING, just justifying an argument.
Next James tells us to be "slow to speak". Arguments usually come to a point where both parties are talking at the same time. In order for our voices to be heard we begin to raise them. When we raise our voice, they raise theirs and anger starts to multiply. Why is it that what we have to say seems to be more important that what they are saying? Is it because we believe that we are more important than they are? When two parties are SLOW to hear and QUICK to speak this almost always leads to anger. If the first two are ignored the last will result.
James goes on to say in verse 20 that “the anger of a man does not achieve the righteousness of God”. What does that mean? The word translated achieve in the English is actually “ergazomai” in the Greek. Ergazomai means to “work out”, “exercise”, or “perform”. When we allow anger to be expressed through emotions, words, attitudes, and expressions, then we are not “exercising” the character of Christ.
When you find yourself in a situation that could become an argument and lead to anger, STOP, THINK, and APPLY TRUTH. Be quick to LISTEN; Be SLOW to speak; and you will be SLOW to anger. By doing this, you will be “performing” the righteousness of God which is the attitude of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:5 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,.”
In a controversy, the instant we feel anger; we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves. -- Thomas Carlyle.
James tells us in verse 19 that “everyone” should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James gives us the best advice in the world for conflict; “Be quick to listen”. Often times in personal conflict, when people are saying things that we would rather not hear, we refuse to listen and begin to think of what to say in rebuttal. That is the very beginning of an argument that leads to anger. When we are conteplating a rebuttal then we're NOT LISTENING, just justifying an argument.
Next James tells us to be "slow to speak". Arguments usually come to a point where both parties are talking at the same time. In order for our voices to be heard we begin to raise them. When we raise our voice, they raise theirs and anger starts to multiply. Why is it that what we have to say seems to be more important that what they are saying? Is it because we believe that we are more important than they are? When two parties are SLOW to hear and QUICK to speak this almost always leads to anger. If the first two are ignored the last will result.
James goes on to say in verse 20 that “the anger of a man does not achieve the righteousness of God”. What does that mean? The word translated achieve in the English is actually “ergazomai” in the Greek. Ergazomai means to “work out”, “exercise”, or “perform”. When we allow anger to be expressed through emotions, words, attitudes, and expressions, then we are not “exercising” the character of Christ.
When you find yourself in a situation that could become an argument and lead to anger, STOP, THINK, and APPLY TRUTH. Be quick to LISTEN; Be SLOW to speak; and you will be SLOW to anger. By doing this, you will be “performing” the righteousness of God which is the attitude of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:5 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,.”
Labels: BH
posted by Buck at 9:31 PM 
4 Comments:
Romans 8:28
been there done that.
bs
It's always good to see others in the same struggles, but, in the midst of them, be able to focus.
"We encounter God in the ordinariness of life, not in the search for spiritual highs and extraordinary, mystical experiences, but in our simple presence of life." Brennan Manning
amen!
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