Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: James 1:19
You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives… James 1:19-21
WHEN WE COMPROMISE GODLY VALUES WE COMPROMISE OUR DREAMS.
Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:21
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:22-24
But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:25
But they delight in the law of the lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalms 1:2-3
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26
UNDERSTANDING THESE 3 THINGS…
You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19
1. WHAT ARE WE HEARING?
But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:25
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 NKJV
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:11
WHAT WE HEAR IS WHAT WE ABSORB AND THAT IS WHAT IMPACTS OUR HEART
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1
2. WHAT ARE WE SAYING?
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26
THE GENUINENESS OF OUR FAITH IS FOUND IN OUR CHARACTER WHICH IS REFLECTED BY OUR WORDS.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29
3. WHAT ARE YOU FEELING?
Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:20
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Matthew 5:21-24
WHEN EMOTIONS CALL THE SHOTS IN YOUR LIFE, DESTRUCTION WILL FIND A PLACE IN YOUR FUTURE!
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. Ephesians 4:26-27
The lord gives his people strength. The lord blesses them with peace. Psalms 29:11
TAKE HOME
3 QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27