Slow to Speak

“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

In his opening verse, James said, “Know this, my beloved brothers,” In other words- “take note of this,” which is how the NIV renders the verb. So James is writing this inspired, accurate, and God-breathed letter to the persecuted church. As he is writing, he’s like, “oh, and do not forget…” take note of this, know this brother.” We should be paying attention – Be Quick to Hear

This general call to pay attention signals a pause in James’s argument as he switches from one topic to another.

“Let every person be quick to hear…” We are terrible at this. If I was sitting with you 1-on-1 having a discussion, almost without a doubt, people think of a response halfway into listening, rather than soaking in the conversation and then responding. Listening, really listening, is not a “go-to” for human beings. Halfway while we converse with people, we quickly form a solid argument in our minds very quickly, even when the person is not two-thirds through with their discussion. And this has got people in trouble.
This admonition runs through the wisdom literature of the OT.
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Wherever wisdom is the goal, the hearing will be the first virtue. Hear what Solomon has to say about fools who listen:
“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” – Proverbs 17:28

Q1: According to Heb 10:36, what virtue do we need in order to do the will of God?

There are three important aspects of listening we must learn:

1. Listen to God First
2. Listen to Others
3. Be Slow to respond

Listen to God First
Primarily, we need to be quick to listen to God – from His Word. Like we need to be eager to hear from Him. Like an Athlete who can hear the crowd with that feeling when he is lacing up his shoes and walking out of the locker room. He is eager to crack a helmet or get the ball down the court or ready for that first serve. We too need to be hearers of God – eager to hear with that type of holy anticipation, and we need to obey.

Listen to Others – Be Teachable

Besides being eager to hear from God, we must listen to others. This one is not always so obvious. Sometimes we confuse listening and having questions with weakness – so instead, we act as if we know it all, and we don’t hear from anyone – like Lone Ranger’s. No! Be teachable. Hear from others. Listen to your parents and others, especially when you are being corrected and rebuked. Don’t justify yourself. Be quick to hear. Look what else James calls us to do:
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” – James 1:19

Slow to Speak and Slow to Anger
There is great wisdom in holding our tongue, especially when our temper is on the rise. Keep your mouths closed because opening them would prove you to be the fool that everyone knows that you are. That’s what Prov 17:28 is all about:

“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

Uncontrollable anger leads to unruly speech. Pop-psychologists will tell you that you cannot control your anger because it is an emotion. Even some Biblical scholars (if you can call them that) will tell you this. But hear what Douglas Moo says in response: “Emotions are the product of the entire person, and, by God’s grace and the work of the Spirit, the person can be transformed and bring emotions in line with God’s word and will.”

Q2: According to the following passages, what commandments do the Scriptures give us about self control?

1. Ex 20:17, Rom 13:9
2. Ps 37:4
3. Prov 16:32

All across the Bible, we are commanded to control our emotions or exercise self control. Do not covet – Ex 20:17, Rom 13:9; Delight in the Lord – Ps 37:4; Be slow to anger – Prov 16:32. So what we see in this passage again is God commanding our entire life, including our emotions.

For those who have quick tempers- holding your tongue is of tremendous value. When your blood boils, and you want to assault someone verbally. You want to rip them to shreds with your words – we must look to the wisdom of Christ and heed this command to be slow to speak and slow to anger.

Gossip seems to dominate the culture. People refuse to be listeners of God’s word. Instead, they speak hastily, not thinking of the horror of their sin or the damage that it will cause in the lives of people you speak of. You do it in groups, and you feed off each other’s sinful energy and hate, and your blood gets pumping, and anger takes root. But remember that “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;  when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Q3: What provision has God made for us to bring our emotions and will under control, according to the following passages:

1. 2 Corr 5:17
2. Deuteronomy 30:6
3. Romans 12:1&2
4. Eph 5:18
5. 2 Corr 10:4&5

We’ve all said things we’ve regretted. We have scars from sin, and our only hope is Christ. He is our only refuge from the storm of judgment that awaits sinners.
But for those in Christ, we must listen to God through His Word, we must rely on His Holy Spirit that lives within us and be teachable, and we must be slow to speak and slow to anger. Here is the reason James gives us.
James 1:19–20 ESV
“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.”