Quick to listen Slow to anger

  Quick to listen Slow to anger

In the book of James we read,

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19,20.

Life can get “messy” at times. Quite often we find ourselves frustrated at someone or something. It’s easy to lash out in anger at someone who criticizes us or when things don’t go our way. But as James writes “...man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires”.

If you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus, whether you like it or not people around you are watching you. Thus the need for those who believe in Christ to again as James states, “be slow to speak and slow to become angry”. Which for many of us can be hard.

Thus the need for us to get in the habit of praying. The apostle Paul reminding us to,

"Pray continually" 

                                          1Thessalonians 5:17.

I believe we should commit everything to prayer everything from the most mundane things in life to the most traumatic.

I believe that when we get into the habit of praying and asking for Gods wisdom and direction before we take action and listen for His guidance, we will be slow to anger. That anger inside us will turn into love and produce the righteous life God desires.

Are you slow to anger?

Before you act especially in anger, do you pray and take the situation you are in to God?

Please think about it.

Do you ask?

  Do you ask?

In the book of James we read,

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:19-21.

Here James points out that we are to be “slow to speak” and “slow to anger”. Telling us anger does not result in righteousness. 

He goes on to tell us to get “rid of all moral filth” and evil.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to examine our lives daily to see what we need to get rid of. We all sin. But that being said we need to confess our sins to God daily. Asking for His forgiveness and help to grow in God in righteousness. 

Do you confess your sins directly to God?

Do you ask God to help you live a good life, one that makes you a better person, both in the sight of God and men?

Please think about it.

Forgive

Forgive
The apostle Paul wrote,

“In your anger do not sin” : 

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” 

                                                               Ephesians 4:26.

In my previous blog I quoted James the half brother of Jesus as writing,
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ” James 1:19, 20.
That being said we all get angry from time to time. However when we get angry we need to turn to God right away and ask Him to calm us down.
We above all should heed the advice of the apostle Paul.

“In your anger do not sin” : 

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” 

                                                               Ephesians 4:26.

It is easy to sin when you get angry. Quite often someone who get angry is not thinking rationally. They throw caution to the wind and do things they regret later on. Thus the need for taking a time out and turning to God in prayer.
The apostle Pauls advice to “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” is especially relevant.
From a purely practical point of view going to bed angry may cause us to loose sleep. I’ve even heard doctors say being angry can cause health problems. Thus even more reason to turn to God and get rid of the anger.
My wife and I firmly believe in what the apostle Paul said.
From the days before we were married we have never let the sun go down on our anger. If we have a problem with each other we come together and talk it out. We do not go to bed angry. Ultimately we forgive any wrong that has been done to us. It’s not always easy but it works.
It’s the same when someone else upsets us. We go first to God in prayer asking for His wisdom in how to deal with the situation. Then if appropriate approach the person in love and try to discuss the problem with the person.
No matter what the situation is however we always forgive the individual.
I admit sometimes this approach does not always work. Some individuals simply don’t want to listen to you. Still if you can in all sincerity forgive the person you personally will feel much better and I believe will be in right standing before God.
Jesus in teaching his disciple to pray noted,
       “And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us....
     For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:12,14,15
Please think about it.

Slow to Speak

Slow to speak
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ” James 1:19, 20.
James here is speaking to believers in Christ Jesus. So I ask the question to believers in Christ Jesus. Do you get easily upset? Do you lash out in anger? If you are a true follower of Christ Jesus this should not be so.
The writer of Proverbs tells us,
“ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1.
There is a lot of things in this world that can and do get us upset but we should never lash out in anger against anyone.
I was given some good advice many years ago. I was told when someone makes us angry we need to take the whole incident to the Lord in prayer right away. Even if it’s only a quick prayer. We need to ask the Lord to calm us down and bring us peace.
We need to heed the words of James when he said,
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
Whether you like it or not if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus people do expect you to live your life differently.
As believers in Christ Jesus our lives should be founded on love. Love for God, Love for our neighbour and even love for our enemy.
  We need to nurture the fruits of the Spirit as expressed by the apostle Paul who wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
If we nurture these fruits our lives will be much better, and, ultimately these fruits will open doors to present the word of God to those around us.
Please think about it.