James Week 3: Listening & Doing

This week we are going to reflect over James 1:19-27. We are going to talk about accepting the word, listening to it, and doing what it says. ​

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

First off, let’s look at James 1:19.

“…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

These words are SO GOOD, yet can be so hard at times. First, quick to listen. Quick to listen to others, which helps us understand, care for, and acknowledge others.But also be quick to listen to what God is speaking to us, through prayer or His word. Next it says slow to speak and slow to become angry. This reminds me of a few verses in Proverbs about our mouth.

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin” Proverbs 13:3

Being slow to speak can be so important. You can’t listen while you are speaking. Listening to others, understanding others, having discernment rather than speaking immediately, and processing our thoughts before we speak is so important. But also this relates to our relationship with God. Sometimes I think we ask, talk, complain, cry out to God a lot, but don’t take enough time to listen to what He’s teaching or telling us, and we might miss out because we are too busy speaking ourselves. Then it says to be slow to become angry. When we become angry, it may point us in the direction of sin. Proverbs 29:22 hits on this as well. Letting anger consume us makes it easy to speak hurtful words or make poor decisions. Instead we can turn to God for wisdom, understanding, peace, and strength to get through a situation we might otherwise become angry in.

Now let’s talk about accepting God’s word, listening to it, and living it out. God’s word is everything we need. James 1:21 says…. “…humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Speaking for myself, sometimes I look past the reality of everything. God’s word, the bible, literally holds what saved us. The bible tells us the story of Jesus dying on the cross, taking away our sins, and giving us forgiveness and eternal life. But also, this book can save people today. It can reveal the truth to someone and completely change their life, bringing them to salvation. And that is so powerful to think about, just the power that God’s word truly holds. Reading God’s word, living it out, and remembering what has been read, will bless your life in so many ways. What good is it to spend time in God’s word, but not put it into practice? Everyday we read God’s word, we should be taking at least one thing away, sharpening ourselves, and letting God speak to us.

Let’s start thinking of God’s word like the game, “Simon Says”. I know yall know this game. When a command is given that “Simon says..”, you do it. And you do it eagerly, excited, and with confidence. Let’s take God’s commands, for example verse 19 about being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Let’s take God’s word, accepting it, listening to it, and doing it with the desire to live obediently. Some reflecting questions:

1. When you read God’s word, do you ask that He would speak to you through what you read? Or that He would reveal something to you? Or that you would receive wisdom?

2. Are you memorizing scripture, remembering what you are reading, and using it in life as a weapon?

3. Are you allowing God’s word to change you for the better? Are you actively working on bettering yourself? Letting God’s word strengthen your faith? Being obedient to God’s word?