How Should We Respond to God’s Word?
Last week we saw the truth behind were temptation comes from, we learned that it does not come from God but our own sinful nature and we were reminded of God’s goodness in what He does give. James continues his lesson by asking the reader to reflect upon their response to God’s Word and presents the reader with how they should be responding to God’s Word. James 1:19-21 shows what our response should be to His Word, as well as the reason for this response, and what it means to be receiving God’s Word.
“19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
James 1:19-22
James has an important lesson for the reader in this passage, one that is glossed over today and was probably not received well when James stated it. This is why he begins this section of his letter by calling the reader “beloved brothers”. He is recognizing what we are all commanded to do, and that is to correct and encourage fellow believers in the Word, “25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25. Therefore, James quickly identifies the response that we need to have to God’s Word, and that is to “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” James 1:19b
The first response that James identifies is that every person should be quick to hear. This is similar to what Jesus Christ said after discussing the parable of the sowers, “9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”” Matthew 13:9. The Bible is not meant for only a select few, but as shown by Jesus Christ, it is meant for everyone. James expounds upon this idea by saying that the lesson he is about to teach is for all of the beloved readers of his letter, no one is exempt from this.
To be quick to hear is to be eager and attentive. Before the Bible was brought together, the letters were read out loud to the congregation. They had to be attentive if they were going to hear what was being described. This is the exact opposite of many believers today who simply go through the motions of a Bible study or sit listening to a sermon while thinking of what they will have for lunch. It is through being attentive to the Word and actively listening that we are strengthened by it. “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 It is the strength that we receive from being quick to hear that will deliver us from trials and temptations. Knowledge of God’s Word teaches us what is right and wrong and keeps our focus on God not on what is tempting us.
The next response that everyone should have when reading God’s Word is to be slow to speak. Often when a new letter was read, a debate would break out. Instead of giving thoughtful evaluation of what is being taught, people’s own biases would override. This is something that is still prevalent today, many people will read a passage that goes against their own ideas and instead of evaluating the meaning behind it they will simple quit reading. Or when a person is confronted by proof of their sin based on Scripture, they become angry and turn away. We may internally or externally argue with what the Bible says, but that does not make it any less authoritative or true. Instead, we need to be like those in Acts 17:11, “11 Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” When faced with an aspect that might cause us to become angry, we need to take a moment and evaluate the whole passage and pray that the Holy Spirit guides us and shows us the truth. Remember, we are called to be slow to speak when reading God’s Word. We need to intently study it, but remember that we need to hold our tongue until we understand what is being stated. “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Proverbs 10:19, “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:27
The third aspect that James is teaching goes hand in hand with the two previous ones. In order to hear God’s Word we must listen and examine it, if we allow our sinful nature to cause misunderstandings then we become angry at God’s Word. This is why James teaches that we must be slow to anger. We must not reject God’s Word, it is the ultimate authority and is infallible and true. One who shows anger at God’s Word is often being confronted by their sin and they do not wish to see it. The person who is slow to anger, even when confronted by sin, shows that they understand God’s Word. “One who is slow to anger has great understanding; But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness.” Proverbs 14:29. If we are angry at God’s Word, it is because it is revealing to us where our sins are. This scenario occurred in Acts 7:54-60 when Stephen confronted the men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen.
This is not to say that we cannot be angry on behalf of God’s Word, we just cannot be angry at His Word. Believe me there is a big difference. The one who is angry at God’s Word is the person we just discussed, the person who is angry on behalf of God’s Word is displaying righteous anger. This occurs when a person knows the Word, knows what it says about a certain topic, and becomes angry when they see actions that goes against God’s Word. Remember, God is a God of love but He is also a God of justice and wrath, “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.” Psalm 7:11. A righteous anger is not sin, “26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Ephesians 4:26. If we cannot be angry at sin, then we cannot fight against it.
After identifying the response that we should have to God’s Word, James next shows the reason for this response. “20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:20. Our anger does not produce God’s righteousness. We should not allow sin to interfere with receiving God’s Word.
Instead of anger at God’s Word, there must be meekness. We must remove the sins that are preventing us from accurately hearing God’s Word, “21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:21 In order for us to be able to receive the Word, we need to have a teachable heart. This allows the Scriptures to be implanted in our hearts.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex