Text- James 1:19- “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”
Today, over-speeding and high-speeding are the leading causes of fatal accidents that cause serious injuries and even death worldwide. When people disregard speed-limits, they compromise their safety and lend themselves to danger. This is the same with life in general.
In our text today, James sets forth the speed-limits that will keep us safe on the major highways of life. He said we should be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”… Doing otherwise will compromise our safety, and may cause fatal mishaps, injuries or even death.
Firstly, the Apostle said we must be swift to hear. In other words, we must be attentive and quick to listen. However, being swift to hear doesn’t mean we are supposed to lend our ears to every idle, worthless, dirty or corrupt communication that goes on around us. Jesus instructs us to take heed, and to carefully consider what we hear (Mark 4:24).
Being swift to hear is rightly applied to good advice, noble teachings, and more importantly, the infallible word of God. To these, we are admonished to make haste, and receive with all readiness. John Gill puts it this way, “Men should fly, as doves to their windows, and be early in their attendance on [the word of God], as well, as constant; and receive it with all readiness, and with a sort of greediness of mind, that their souls may be profited, and God may be glorified”
Secondly, the Apostle said we must be slow to speak. We are not to be too quick to speak; rather, we should thoroughly weigh and carefully consider our words before speaking them. Bible says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). In other words, watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul, abusive or dirty come out of your mouth. Only say things that are good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Thirdly, the Apostle said we must be slow to wrath. It is essentially part of God’s nature to be slow to anger... we call it long-suffering. Being longsuffering (or slow to anger) us is not all that easy, especially in the face of persistent provocation.
Without doubt, long-suffering is not something we can do consistently in our own strength; it is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) which is produced in us by the Spirit of God as we occupy our minds with Him, grow in our knowledge of Him, and yield ourselves to His control.
PRAYERS
1. Lord, please teach me to take heed to what I hear and grant me the grace to be swift to hear good advice, noble teachings, and more importantly, the infallible word of God.
2. Lord, please help me to bridle my tongue. Teach me to thoroughly weigh and carefully consider my words before speaking them.
3. Lord, help me to be long-suffering. Help me to be slow to wrath, even in the face of persistent provocation.