Bible Reading: Numbers 17 & 18; Psalm 55; Isaiah 7; James 1
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
What is one of the most important elements in a relationship? I would say it is trust. Without trust a relationship cannot be a close one. In order to be able to have a relationship built upon trust, there must be communication. The Bible here gives us a formula for developing good relationships. This would include husbands and wives, families, church brothers and sisters, friends and business relationships.
It begins with listening. We must be swift to hear. Many times we have not fully listened to the other person and we have already formed an opinion or made a decision. The Bible says this is foolishness!
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (Proverbs 18:13)
If we are swift to hear, it means we listen first and foremost to what someone is saying and make sure we understand them before we answer!
With that said, we are also to be slow to speak. A relationship needs the communication of both parties in order to grow. If we are slow to speak it means we listen to everything first before we form opinions. Many people are just the opposite. They are swift to speak and slow to hear. Isn't it amazing that God's Word actually addresses this matter? How many times have we not fully heard a matter and formed an opinion only to find with more information that it was not the way we first thought? If we will heed God's Word, we can avoid this folly altogether!
Now put these verses in their context! James is here telling us that we will encounter suffering, but if we will pray in faith, God will give us wisdom to understand what is going on. Not only that be he is the giver of good gifts and he cannot be tempted with evil. Therefore we desperately need to LISTEN to God's Word and be slow to speak out in the midst of a trial.
We must also be slow to wrath! Don't get mad easily because it does not accomplish the righteousness of God. God is working in your life. Trials and tribulation are tools in the hands of God. Instead of getting mad when things don't go your way, you should listen to God and be slow to speak. You must realize that anger only adds to the problem and may be just the thing God is dealing with in your life in the trial!
Our wrath only adds to the problem. God wants righteousness to come out of our lives. Pray that God will use your life to be a light especially when you are in a trial.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
In Christ,
Rody
