Be Quick To Listen, Slow To Speak, And Slow To Anger
Speak The Word Over Any And All Situations
JAMES 1:19-20
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
”James 1:19-20 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.1.19-20.NKJ
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By talking to much and not listening to others, we are disrespectfully communicating to others that their ideas are less important than ours, and that we know better than them.
James encourages us to reverse this process; to listen carefully, and process the information correctly before responding, making sure that our response is not as a result of anger or pride, or we like the sound of our own voice.
When we respond to a situation out of anger or indeed pride, we by-pass the process of looking at the evidence-the facts.
All to often we judge a situation, a person, or a comment by our emotions rather than the truth. We actually say, “I know I’m right because my emotions are right. But emotions rise to truth and lies and are not designed to bring discernment. But we are quick to believe our emotions even when the facts paint a completely different colour.
We find ourselves trying to prove our point rather than seeking the truth, simply because our pride is being pricked and it is easier to believe the lie.
The devil operates much like the fake news media in today’s world; their stories and whispers are aimed at our emotions. They bring propaganda not truth; their goal is to stir up our emotions that we believe the lie and bring the result they hope for; rage, anger, pain, sorrow, disappointment, lust, and so on. When we respond from our emotions, we open a door to the demonic.
Therefore, take every thought captive, ”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.“
II Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV
When we speak out of turn, we can apologise, but cannot unsay our words, which can be so damaging. Furthermore, anger erupts when our ego is bruised-“I am not being listened too, my opinions are not respected or important.”
We should become angry when injustice or sin occurs because others are being hurt. But we should not become angry because we have failed to win an argument or someone disagrees with our opinion, or we feel offended or neglected; selfish anger has no place in Christian life; selfish anger helps no one and temporarily blocks the truth.
I say “temporarily”, because the truth always finds it’s way no matter how much the darkness tries to hide it.
But listening is just the beginning when it comes to God’s Word.
What good is their in hearing God’s Word and learning His ways and wisdom if you don’t put it all into practice? That shall profit you nothing. “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
James 1:21-25 NKJV
What we say is powerful. ”Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.“
James 3:10 NKJV
What we say has impact whether we are speaking over ourselves or others. Negative words and name calling is like witchcraft and brings the curse.
Calling yourself or others “useless” like every negative word gives way to the devil into one’s life.
While the devil can use negativity to curse people, God’s Word is more powerful than any force of this world, and speaking it out breaks curses and moves the mountains in our lives, including every stronghold the devil has in our lives.
Therefore, don’t just read His Word and take it in; ask God for understanding, revelation, and then speak over yourself and others, and any and all the situations of life, and watch the darkness flee.
One’s impossible situation, becomes possible with God (MATHEW 19:26; LUKE 1:37).
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
