Recieve the Word
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. —James 1:19-21(ESV)
1)
to receiving the word (v19-20)
a) Slow to hear
b) Quick to speak
c) Quick to get angry
Books Recomendations
Good and Angry by David Powlison
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Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, et al.
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2)
to receiving the
Word (v21)
a) Repent of sin in your life
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, …” —Psalm 51:3–4
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10
b) Humbly Receive God’s word.
1) Posture your heart to listen more than speak
“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. —Proverbs 17:27–28
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” —(Proverbs 10:19)
*Listening requires concentrated interest in others.
*Listening is helped by limiting exposure to visual media.
*Read God’s word slow enough to let it speak.
*Take time to listen. Ask God to speak.
*Prepare for worship and listening to the preaching of God’s word.
2) Realize almost all anger is unrighteous anger
3) Acknowledge you cannot do this apart from Christ
3)
is found in the
Word (v21; John 1)
a) Jesus was the Word Became Flesh
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.” —John 1:1–2
“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” —John 1:11–13
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” —John 1:14
b) Jesus used his words perfectly
c) Jesus took the punishment for our misuse of words
“ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” —2 Corinthians 5:21
d) Jesus gave us the ability to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry through the power of the Holy Spirit