Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant 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 who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 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. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 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 1:19-27

Hearing and Doing

Words can be powerful, but “talk” is cheap

Actions Speak

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 who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 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. —James 1:22-25

1. Empty Talk

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 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 1:22, 26-27

God’s Care for the Vulnerable

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. —Proverbs 14:31
 

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. —Psalm 68:5
 

Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ —Deuteronomy 27:19
 

You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. —Exodus 22:22-24

2. Quick/Angry Talk

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. —James 1:19-20

Understanding Anger
1. Not all anger is sinful
2. Good anger is a reaction to injustice
3. Sinful anger is typically selfish
4. Anger can be based on misunderstanding

3. Impure Talk

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls… 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 1:21, 27

Pure Wisdom

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. —Proverbs 18:4

The Solution: Hearing and Receiving

…receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. —James 1:21

Final Word: The Blessing

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. —James 1:25

Living it Out
1. Where are your words quick, empty, angry, or impure?
2. Where do you need to step up your action?
3. How are you regularly receiving the “implanted word”?
4. Where do you need to more deeply believe that God’s way is blessed?