Take Note of This

^"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." (James 1:19)

Here James is exhorting us his fellow believers to be quick to listen (in this context, to the Word of Truth), slow to speak (think before you speak), and slow to become angry (because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires). These three qualities are needed in the trials of life. Are you quick to listen to God's Word? Or are you quick to blame God for your trials and/or complain? Do you get mad easily when things don't go your way/when you face trials? In short, we must be attentive to our ears, our mouth, and our heart. People who are quick to speak or talk a lot most likely do not make good listeners. Listen more. Speak less. Stay calm. Exercise self-control. We learn more by listening more and we sin less by speaking less and by keeping calm. I'm personally guilty many times of reacting with careless, thoughtless words and anger that I regret and need to repent of. I'm still learning to remind myself not to react without thinking things through, staying calm, and choosing the right words. In order to be effective witnesses for the Lord, we must strive to control our tongue & our temper and to be better listeners. “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” (Stephen Covey) We also need God's wisdom to know when to hold our tongue and be silent. "There is so much sin in us that the less we speak, the better." (Charles Spurgeon)


"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who hold his tongue is wise." (Proverbs 10:19)

"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3)

"Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise." (Proverbs 17:28)

"Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him." (Proverbs 29:20)
"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

Let's put James 1:19 into practice daily! Our family and friends will be very grateful and feel loved. Essentially, these are some ways we can show our love: taking time to listen attentively without interrupting, being mindful of what and how we communicate orally, and being patient & forgiving...not being easily angered/ annoyed/frustrated/irritated. "We can learn to be slow to wrath by first learning to be swift to hear and slow to speak. So much of our anger and wrath comes from being self-centered not others-centered. Swift to hear is a way to be others-centered. Slow to speak is a way to be others-centered." (Guzik)

"You can win more friends with your ears than with your mouth. People who feel like they're being listened to feel accepted and appreciated. They feel like they're being taken seriously and what they say really matters." (Harvey Mackay)
"The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of listening to them. Just as love for God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brothers is learning to listen to them. It is [because of] God's love for us that He not only gives us His Word but also lends us His ear." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness! Thank You for being patient with me as I fail time and time again. Please help me to listen attentively, speak kindly, and respond calmly in any situation. Please empower me to not be easily offended but to be quick to forgive when wronged. Please give me wisdom to know when I should be silent. In Jesus's Name, I pray. Amen.