James 1:19-20

New International Version

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human angerdoes not produce the righteousness that God desires.

For Meditation

The call came just as I sat down for dinner.

“Did you know that your brother’s wife had miscarried? She’s been hospitalized for the past five days with some complications,” my friend said.

That was the spark. “How dare he keep this from me and not call me?” I said.

“Calm down, dear. Finish eating and call your brother. Perhaps there is a good reason,” my wife said.

However, the fire was already out of control, and only the fire extinguisher of the Holy Spirit could quench it. Unfortunately, I was an unbeliever!

Glory to God, He has changed my heart and brought me into His family through the Son of His love, Jesus Messiah (Eph. 2:8-9). As believers in Jesus, He has made us citizens of heaven, heirs of God; co-heirs with Him (Rom. 8:17). We are not the uncontrollable firebrands who flare up like volcanoes to destroy everything in our path with molten lava. Christ Jesus has tamed us. His Spirit in us provides all the graces we need to become like Him, who “like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (Isa. 53:7; 1 Pt. 2:23).

That was the Apostle James’ point in his exhortation to believers facing persecution and trials of various kinds (Jas. 1:2-5). Our attitude in all those troubles determines the outcome, which must always bring glory to God (1 Cor. 10:31). What our eyes see and our ears hear can pierce our hearts like knives. Our human tendency is to erupt in defense of our pride and wounded egos. God desires to change the disposition of our hearts to align them with His.

James does not encourage us to ignore what is going on around us, for that would be irresponsible. Instead, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (Jas. 1:19-20). In every situation, the primary motivation should be what God desires.

In my opening story, feeding my selfish ego became my utmost desire and goal: “How dare he.”

We all go through situations like that every day. Our responses have either caused us more trouble or set us on regretful roads for the rest of our lives. What is your experience? How bad was the provocation? Was it beyond a calm and reasonable resolution? Was the direct and collateral damage worth your rage? Given a second chance, would you handle it differently?

Our prayer should be that, when things get difficult, we remember the consequence of Moses’ outburst against the Israelites at Meribah (Nu. 20:10). God said Moses and Aaron did not honor Him as holy before the Israelites, and it cost Moses the Promised Land (v.12).

May we therefore submit our temper to the control of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:23), so it does not lead us to sin and dishonor God (Eph. 4:26); and may we move swiftly to settle issues before the devil gains a foothold and causes trouble for us.

When your anger burns, call for the fire extinguisher of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Pray with Me

We look to you, Lord, to hold our hearts and let your Spirit give us self-control in every provocative situation. May our anger not burn to destroy everything around us, but that our response will bring you the glory you desire and deserve always. We pray all this in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.

Shalom

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