Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This Week’s Devotional Topic
GEMS OF WISDOM
In the context of us hearing and doing the word, we are provided with life changing and important instructions. We are to be quick to listen, careful to speak and slow to anger.
James 1:19-27 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 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. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 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. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
BE QUICK TO HEAR. LISTEN!
Many times we hear the words of Jesus repeat the importance of listening.
Matthew 11:15 “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
Mark 4:23, 24 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them Pay attention to what you hear…”
From the wisest man who ever lived.
Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning
Job 36:11 “If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.”
Matthew 13:12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge.
BE SLOW TO SPEAK
James 3:3-10 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
Proverbs 17:27,28 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
BE SLOW TO ANGER
Ephesians 4:23-27 “…let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
Proverbs 15:1,2,4 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
God help us to be filled, controlled by Your Spirit. As we read in…
Galatians 5:22, 23b But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
That self-control will give us what it takes to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to be angry.
This week’s Scripture:
James 1:19-27; 3:3-10; Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:23, 24; Proverbs 1:5; 15:1,2,4; 17:27-28; Job 36:11; Matthew 13:12; Ephesians 4:23-27 and Galatians 5:22,23
See this week’s playlist
