Gospel Bible Baptist Church

James 1:19-20
Introduction

We all have a choice. In every situation, it’s either you respond positively or negatively, proactively or reactively. The outcome depends on how you deal with each and every state of the affairs. Grown-ups or matured individuals are expected to deal in a more orderly and wisely manner compared to the young who is aggressive and does thing haphazardly without thinking of the end result. The Bible gives us timely advice on how to respond not only in real life situation but also as believers how to respond to the Scriptures and to use every opportunity to know God’s Word and God’s will better (Ps. 119:12, 2 Tim. 2:15).

I. We are exhorted to be “swift to listen”. There’s an old saying “Men have two ears, and but one tongue, that they should hear more than they speak.” “The ears are always open, ever ready to receive instruction; but the tongue is surrounded with a double row of teeth, to hedge it in, and to keep it within proper bounds.” The general rule is: When we pray, we talk to God, when we read the Bible, God talks to us (we better listen carefully!). The problem is we hear what we want to hear only, ignoring what we don’t want. It’s always better to hear and learn rather than do plenty of talking. Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt because she refused to listen to the warning not to look back (Gen. 19:26).
A. A growing Christian should possess an attitude of keeping his ears open to God’s Word.

B. Hunger for the Word is a clear manifestation of someone who wants to know God. In times of crisis this person turns to the Bible. He looks to the Word for instruction and blessing for he eagerly expects God to minister to him through the Bible.
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
A person who delights in the Bible, hungers for God to speak to him. He does not read the Word because the Christian herd at church expects her to do it. She does it because of her love for God.

Psalms 19:7-9 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

C. The Right Attitude:

Be more ready to hear when you are in the House of God (Eccl. 5:1) Be receptive and keep Gods words in your heart. Lk. 8:15. Faith comes from hearing. Rom. 10:17. Hear reproofs also. Prov. 15:31. The blessedness of hearing. Prov. 8:34

D. Paul said, Despise not prophesyings. (1 Thessalonians 5:20) The word prophesyings comes from a word that means “to speak, proclaim publicly.” In the context it is referring to the public declaration of God’s word—the preaching of the word. The word despise means to regard as nothing, to despise utterly, to treat with contempt, to bring to naught, treat with scorn. It is a very strong word that means to act as if the message means nothing. The idea is not to discount and/or scoff at the preaching of God’s word. It is interesting that the Lord has just warned us not to quench the Spirit and He follows it up with despise not prophesyings. One of the sure ways to quench the Spirit of God is by despising the message and or the messenger of God. This is a tough command for the days in which we live. People do not want to hear the preaching of the word.

E. James admonishes us to be swift to hear. The word swift means to be “prompt and ready.” The idea is to be on our toes lest we miss something. The word hear goes beyond just the sense of hearing and carries the idea of “giving an audience to.” The Thessalonians were swift to hear the word.
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13). The word received speaks of an open reception. It carries the idea of readily and warmly welcoming God’s word into their heart. James uses the same word, receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21) James calls it the engrafted word. This is a horticulture term meaning “to implant.” This is the only time this word is used in entire New Testament and speaks of grafting a branch from one tree onto another tree. Praise God when people receive the word of God this way. It is only when it is received with a welcome heart that it can take root and produce fruit. David said, I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. (Psalms 119:14) Hunger for the Word is a clear sign that a person is saved and desires to know God intimately.

II. We are exhorted to be “slow to speak”. People love to talk. Telecommunication companies are raking billions of monies because of the ever-increasing telephone bills. People just can’t stop talking. When I was living in Singapore, I heard about a woman whose telephone bill came up to more than $600 in a month! A huge amount she will have difficulty in paying. It is always safer and better to talk less. Guard your tongue.
A. James uses the word “slow” twice in this verse.
B. Principle: Words spoken quickly are difficult to recall
C. The slowness of speech he enjoins is that of cautiousness. Because we are in danger of speaking — (1) The wrong thing. (2) At the wrong time
D. Application: The counterpart to “swift to hear” is “slow to speak”. We cannot hear God speak if we are always speaking. If we care more about what we have to say than what God has to say, then we have a spiritual problem.
E. Biblical Commands:

1. To be silent is better. Pro. 21:23, Pro. 17:28,
2. Careless speech leads to trouble. Pro. 13:3,
3. Refrain from talking evil. 1 Pet. 3:10.
   F. To open our lips is often an imperative duty. We are to reprove evil-doers at fitting seasons, and in a right spirit. We are to instruct the ignorant and the erring as God gives us the opportunity. But even when we are in the path of duty we are to be “slow to speak.” We are to weigh the matter well, and proceed calmly, thoughtfully, deliberately. We are to guard against all rash, reckless judgments, and to be very sure of our ground before we pronounce on the characters or the conduct of others. When constrained to break silence we should do it, not under some sudden impulse, or in a random way, but from conviction and with deliberation.
   Illustration /Application: Our generation is full of quick-to-speak people. We encourage people to speak on everything in our small groups. Usually, they have no knowledge of the subject. This results in a pooling of ignorance. No one has done any research. No one has carefully studied the Bible. No one has the gift of being a pastor/teacher. Result: a conglomerate of ignorance.
   III. We are exhorted to be “slow to wrath”. The Bible has a lot to say about anger and wrath.
   Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure and hostility.
   Wrath is forceful often vindictive anger resulting in violent words or deed.
   Indignation – Anger or extreme anger, mingled with contempt, disgust or abhorrence.
   Esther 3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

There is a righteous anger and sinful anger. God’s anger at our sins is righteous anger (Judges 2:14). He expects us to be obedient always but most of the time we disobey. The anger of the Jews against Jesus in Lk. 4:28 are very sinful. Too often we get angry so easily even at the slightest provocation.

The first guy we have recorded in Scripture who blew up over what God said was Cain. He got mad because God required a blood sacrifice for sin. As a result of his anger, he murdered his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1-8). Things didn’t work out too good for Cain. However, anger is a common response to the word of God. In Acts chapter five when the Apostles preached God’s Word it angered the Sadducees and they were filled with indignation. (Acts 5:17). A little later it says, When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. (Acts 5:33) They set out to kill the messengers rather than submit to the message. The same thing happened in Acts seven when Stephen preached. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. (Acts 7:54)

Illustration/Application: A successful business man got angry while driving and he shot dead the student who has overtaken his car. What a tragic incident, a young man losing his life and a business man losing his reputation spending the rest of his life in jail, all because of a sudden uncontrolled burst of anger. Truly, man’s anger will never produce the righteousness and the love of truth which God requires. James 1:20. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

Expository Pulpit Series – James: Faith in Action.
A. We can be angry yet avoid sin. Eph. 4:26.
B. Avoid anger, don’t react immediately. Ps. 37:8, Pro. 14:17
C. Avoid the company of angry person. Pr. 22:24
D. Quick anger disqualifies you to the ministry. Titus 1:7
E. Anger brings dreadful judgment. Job 5:2, Prov. 19:19, Mat. 5:22

Illustration/Application: Art of Self-Defence
“Do you think it would be wrong for me to learn the noble art of self-defence?” a religiously-inclined young man asked of his pastor.
“Certainly not,” answered the minister; “I learned it in youth myself, and I have found it of great value during my life.”
“Indeed, sir! Did you learn karate, kung fu, or some other system?”
“I learned Solomon’s system.”
“Solomon’s system?”
“Yes, you will find it laid down in the first verse of the fifteenth chapter of Proverbs: ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath.’ It is the best system of self-defence of which I know.”
Bible Illustrations – Practical Bible Illustrations from Yesterday and Today.

IV. James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
A. During the Dark Ages, the Catholics killed and burned Bible believing Christians. Does God see them as righteous?
B. Why does an Iglesia ni Cristo gets angry even to extent of killing when you tell them Christ is God
C. Try preaching to a Muslim and the chances are, they will chop your head.
D. Does their zealousness in their religion or group promote the righteousness of God?

IV. Conclusion.
These three appeals may look contradictory because we are told to be swift and at the same time to be slow yet the Word of God will not make us do things that are impossible for us to follow. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. The word not grievous here in simple term is “not hard”. No wonder the Lord Jesus Christ Himself told us in Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Want to follow God’s Word? Maybe it’s a good time to start now. Let us therefore be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.