Be Slow to Speak and Quick to Listen

James 1:19: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

This passage in the book of James offers to those who are followers of Jesus Christ a good word of re-direction; for, in our culture, we can see the prevailing yet destructive disposition of man in his attempt to assert his will above others. The popular philosophy of our world is self-fulfillment. It seems as if mankind has succumbed to one continual argument, in which people are attempting to assert their rights and demands over others. Love for truth has been displaced by the desires of self, and those who are entrapped in this vain philosophy manifest their frustration in voluminous, vociferous argumentation. One can see the level of hostility and frustration in people's lives by watching the cable news channels; it seems as if no one is listening . . . just talking angrily in an attempt to assert personal rights.

The Christian is called to demonstrate patience. He is not called to speak too hastily, but be willing to listen as an expression of love to others. He is also called not to become angry too quickly, allowing his emotions to dictate his opinions of things. He is called to be slow to speak and slow to become angry. This suggests that he can in fact become angry at the injustices in the world and the defiance of God's Holy Will. Still, the Christian's response should not be emotive in nature, but driven by love and principle.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be slaves of the true Master. Our rights have been displaced by our surrender to the Will of God. We can rest in the assurance that we don't have to win God's case for Him; He will be victorious irrespective of the caustic demands of the reprobate. Still, Our Lord expects us to communicate His truth in love to a world ensnared in darkness.

As Christians, let's be counter-cultural by practicing restraint. Let's not be too hasty in our verbal assaults against others, but rather be willing to listen in the spirit of the peace of Christ. And when God opens the door of opportunity to share truth in love, we can do so, knowing that the Holy Spirit can take our words and use them to penetrate the hearts of those who are in rebellion against the One True God.