A LETTER FROM JAMES

Study notes - Chapter 1 – part 3

By David Woodbury

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. (James 1:19-20 – NLT)

The art of good communication

As we have discovered James tends to jump between subjects and there is a sense that he is quickly trying to impart sound doctrine and advice to these new Christians and must cover much ground as possible in this one letter. In the light of his previous teaching, he feels it necessary to give some sound, practical advice on human relationships and communications. He attempts to grab his readers attention with the phrase; Understand this, in other words, listen to me, this is important. And he is quite right, for in any assembly of people, be they Christian or otherwise, the fellowship is enriched or broken, through the quality of the relationships and communications.

The reality of humanity is that not many of us are good hearers, we want our opinion vented and our voice heard, and there is a distinct difference between listening and really hearing.  In truth, we learn far more from really listening and observing than from any other human exercise. Consequently, James is giving good advice in advising us to be quick to listen. Skilled listening and hearing require more than just hearing the words. Perception, attitude, voice inflection and body language may even convey more than the words.  Citizens of the Kingdom ought to be sensitive and skilled listeners, acutely attuned to the words and needs of others.

The corollary of his argument is that we need to be slow to speak. In other words, give thought and consideration to the communication before you open your mouth. No doubt James knew well the advice of the writer of Proverbs: Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” (Proverbs 10:19 -  NLT) One of the philosophers of old commented: We have two ears but only one mouth, that we may hear more and speak less. Great damage has been done to relationships through impetuous, thoughtless and insensitive words and citizens of the kingdom of God need ever be on guard when they open their mouths to speak. Of course, this does not mean that we become mute, passive observers, remaining speechless when there is a need to defend the right or disown the wrong.

No doubt James had been a keen observer of life and is now able to apply some of his human observations to a spiritual framework. Christian understanding and reflection in response to a situation may keep us from speaking ill-advised words which we later regret. Anger is rarely the correct response to a difficult situation and often wisdom dictates that we should be quick to draw back when anger surfaces. James is quite correct when he writes: Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. We need to ensure our anger is not stimulated by some internal feelings that could be linked to unrelated circumstances.

In a tense situation where anger seeks rare it’s ugly presence, it is wise to try and filter the situation through Paul’s practical description of Christian love in Corinthians:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT) More Christian communion is achieved through love than can ever be anticipated by yielding to anger.  If we can be slow to speak, slow to anger and quick to listen, we will have achieved the basis for good relationships and communications in the kingdom of God. 

21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.  (James 1:21-25 - NLT)

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Building a good foundation

Once again James seems to change gears and launch into another subject and he does so with some quite descriptive language. When he uses the terminology: get rid of, it is interchangeable with Paul’s terminology in Ephesians 4:22 where he tells the members of the church at Ephesus that they must you put off … the old man … As James calls its: the filth and evil in your lives. Both James and Paul’s terminology is indicative of the action of someone who is discarding forever, an old suit of clothes. There is a sense of crucial decision-making and permanence about the action.

It was essential for these new Christians in churches which were still establishing themselves, that the break with the sinful past was decisive and permanent. There could be no going back or allowance for any degradation of their new Christian faith. A clean break with the past had to be made and maintained.

James then begins to set a secure foundation for these new Christians; they need to humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts. The only sure foundation these Christians need is the Bible. The Word of God must always be the foundation for all citizens in the kingdom of God, then and now. The moment any church or religious organisation begins to degrade their faith by elevating other material to biblical authority, they have started on the slippery slope of heresy and apostasy.

The sure foundation is, in James’ thinking, for a crucial reason: it has the power to save your souls. No religion is of any great value unless it has, inherent in its theology, the power to change a life. And it is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the life-changing power is released and here was the secret of the success of the early Christian church.

Prayer

Father, you created us to live in community and we are acutely aware that as Christians, we need to embrace and nurture that reality. Help to be intentionally attentive and clearly hear those with whom we share community.

Grant us the courage and wisdom to effectively moderate and evaluate our own language, so that we do not unintentionally create division or offence within our fellowship. Help us , Father, to be slow to anger and quick to compassionate in understanding, that we may reflect to the character of Jesus.

May we work together to build our community with the sure and solid foundation based on scriptural principles and Holy Spirit inspired guidance. Help us to discard forever that which is unchristlike in our own character and seek to become more like Jesus in our thoughts and actions.

Hear our prayer in Jesus name – Amen.

Video – To be like Jesus

https://youtu.be/Uai4EiAhPNA