And Just Why Should I Not Be Mad?
You know, sometimes I read a passage of scripture really fast to get past it because it seems a little to convicting or close to home. One verse I just read a little too quickly addresses just that point - James 1-19 tells me: Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
I’ve read that verse casually before and just thought that it meant that when I was in casual conversation with others, I should be a good listener, not blather on, and not get upset about anything contrary to my thoughts. The Lord has brought this verse to mind recently in a different light, however, that I might actually use it in my life and relationship with others.
I’ve come to realize that being swift to hear does not apply only to people around me, but also the Lord. I am not to read over verses too quickly and not pay attention - rather I am to be swift to hear what the Lord is trying to tell me through His word. And, yes, also with those around me - I am to be swift to hear: listening with an open heart to brothers and sisters in Christ that may be exhorting me or trying to show me a blind spot in my life.
Being slow to speak, I believe goes beyond waiting your turn to talk - I think the Lord has showed me that I should think… ask for wisdom… silently pray… all this in just a few seconds that it may take… before I blurt out some cruel or senseless string of words that are born out of pride or a baseless sense of superiority just to show that I am right and you are wrong.
The last is the most convicting to me. Being slow to wrath doesn’t just mean that I should count to ten to avoid hitting someone or kicking the wall out of frustration. Being slow to wrath means that I should always channel my thoughts through the Lord before I react to a situation. This is not only for ‘big’ situations - it is for everyday stuff all day long. Suppose you are out for breakfast with your spouse. You’ve ordered eggs over medium, but the sever brings them scrambled, or maybe your toast is a little too dark - and you say loud enough for the server to hear as he or she retreats that “this place sure has gone down hill”. And now… in full sight of this chastised server… you bow your head and pray before you eat - what a testimony to this server… this is how thankful Christian acts. The Lord has shown me that I can enjoy scrambled eggs just as well and (not being wrathful or even indignant) truly enjoy a time of relaxation with my spouse and have a good testimony for a server that may have had a frazzled morning.
James 1-19 makes life enjoyable. James 1-19 makes for good and honest relationships with the Lord, your spouse, your children, your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to those in the world.