James 1:19-27

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Day 9

Observations

  • Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (v19)
  • for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (v20)
  • Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness (v21a)
  • receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (v21b)
  • But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (v22)
  • For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (v23-24)
  • But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (v26)


Meaning

  • Being:
    • quick to hear - eager to listen to others
    • slow to speak - you don't just impulsively say what's on your mind
    • slow to anger - you aren't angered and sensitive by meaningless and unimportant things
  • When we are angry it is difficult for us to produce righteousness
  • We should humbly and submissively receive God's Word because it has the power to save our souls
  • We need to be doers and not just hearing/reading the word
  • We need to constantly be applying the Word otherwise we will just forget it
  • God will bless us when we are more than just hearers, and through our perseverance we are doers who act

Application

  • Am I just a hearer? I should be doing and applying God's Word
  • I should constantly be working and praying that God would soften my heart and allow me to be slow to anger
  • Be more humble when receiving God's Word, for it is perfect and a blessing

Prayer points:

  1. I would be slow to anger and to remember Christ on the cross when I am angered by things that I shouldn't be
  2. Continue to do God's work instead of just hearing and receiving - work and persevere for God's kingdom

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