Be Still and Listen by Ellen C.
"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 KJV
I am going to try to cut this meat in God's word into tiny pieces that I can digest, so please bear with me.
I am going to try to cut this meat in God's word into tiny pieces that I can digest, so please bear with me.
→Swift to hear--I wonder why that is written first? Even as babies...hearing comes before seeing.
If we wait upon the Lord and HEAR more often...I wonder what we would do? Whose voice would we hear?
Does this swiftness mean to hear God's voice because we can miss it if we don't?
→Slow to speak...now here is an area I really struggle with.
"A soft answer will turn away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1.
How can we stifle the tongue? It's such a small vessel that has the power and might of a war.
Why do you think we are commanded to be slow to speak? Could it be that words cannot be taken back once they've left your lips? Could it be that every praise you give with your lips would be negated by the spewing of angry words?
→Lastly, slow to wrath: the venom of the tongue and wrath go hand in hand. Wrath is a very strong emotion. Should we allow emotions to guide us as Christians? Isn't that submitting to the flesh? Doesn't that give Satan reign in the temple of God that resides in our bodies?
"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."Psalm 37:8
Do you think David knew what he was talking about when he wrote this? Now...here is a man who loved God, but allowed his emotionality to rule his deeds!
In conclusion...being swift to hear will allow us to listen for GOD.
Slow to speak...will force us to stop and think before we say something we will regret.
Slow to wrath...will allow us to please the Lord in our actions.
Our carnality must not win over our spirituality.
"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 KJV
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If we wait upon the Lord and HEAR more often...I wonder what we would do? Whose voice would we hear?
Does this swiftness mean to hear God's voice because we can miss it if we don't?
→Slow to speak...now here is an area I really struggle with.
"A soft answer will turn away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1.
How can we stifle the tongue? It's such a small vessel that has the power and might of a war.
Why do you think we are commanded to be slow to speak? Could it be that words cannot be taken back once they've left your lips? Could it be that every praise you give with your lips would be negated by the spewing of angry words?
→Lastly, slow to wrath: the venom of the tongue and wrath go hand in hand. Wrath is a very strong emotion. Should we allow emotions to guide us as Christians? Isn't that submitting to the flesh? Doesn't that give Satan reign in the temple of God that resides in our bodies?
"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."Psalm 37:8
Do you think David knew what he was talking about when he wrote this? Now...here is a man who loved God, but allowed his emotionality to rule his deeds!
In conclusion...being swift to hear will allow us to listen for GOD.
Slow to speak...will force us to stop and think before we say something we will regret.
Slow to wrath...will allow us to please the Lord in our actions.
Our carnality must not win over our spirituality.
"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 KJV
More Articles Home Page