19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. -- James 1:19-20

Quick to Listen. Slow to Speak. (James 1:19-20)

Today, we continue our journey word by word, verse by verse through the book of James.

James 1:19-20 commands believers (brothers and sisters) to be:

1. QUICK to listen
2. SLOW to speak
3. SLOW to anger

... For human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness!

This threefold command is aimed at a life of righteousness which is the goal in which this entire book is written!

Verse 19-20 and like much of this book are straightforward. We are commanded to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. So, how are you doing with that?

1. Are you quick to listen?
2. Do you truly listen to others or do you think of a response while they are talking? Is the goal to actually hear them or to get your point across? Are you swift in listening to others?
3. Are you slow to speak?
4. Do you think critically before opening your mouth to speak? Are your words measured or are the flippant? Do you recognize the weight of your words and the bearing they have on others?
5. Are you slow to anger?
6. There is such thing as Godly anger, but are you quick-tempered? Are people around you afraid you are on the edge of popping off? Are you sensitive?

Taking a healthy and honest evaluation of these questions helps us to identify whether or not we a walking in the way of Jesus, which is a life of righteousness.

This week, sisters and brothers, let's be listeners. Let's be slow to speak. Let's not be flippant in our anger!