Hearing and Doing the 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.

The group discuss this “anger” topic in depth. We are all guilty to be quick with our words and slow to think. Throughout Proverbs we were told to be slow to speak and tame our tongue and be wise!

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

This has nothing to do with salvation, but rather serving as Jesus has taught us to do. To be a Christian is to serve other all the time and not just on our time or when it seems nice. At home, work and community….that means all the time! James is telling us to don’t look in the mirror at a blemish and not do anything about it. Work on it immediatly.

²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

The person serving is blessed and the law of liberty is our salvation, since it is a “freeing” law not an “enslaving” law.

²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James makes it clear that if we speak out of line and do not serve others our “religion” is worthless. Essentially our selfishness and self centered behavior will gain nothing and be worthless. “Religion” here is not a denomination, but rather what and who we worship….which is ourselves most of the time.

James chapter 2 next week. Good pratical everyday application from James. Come and enjoy some Chicken and Wisdom each Friday!