FBCHS Bible Study 10/3/23

“Listen and Learn”

James 1:19-27

James continues his practical guidance with words about listening. Christians need to listen well both to people (James 1:19) and to God. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). We listen, not as a technique to influence anyone else, but to let God’s word “rid [ourselves] of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness”. Interestingly, James suggests that listening to others—and not just listening to God’s word—is a means of ridding ourselves of wickedness. He does not say that other people speak God’s word to us. Instead, he says that listening to others removes the anger and arrogance that keep us from doing God’s word spoken in Scripture.

Welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls” (James 1:20–21). When others speak words that are words of disagreement, criticism, dismissal—it is easy to respond in anger, especially in high-pressure situations at work. But doing so usually makes our position worse, and always discredits our witness as Christ’s servants. How much better to trust God to defend our position, rather than defending ourselves by angry, hasty speech.