My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20 (NIV)
The very day a new believer comes to know Jesus, he already feels ready to witness what God has done in his life. It's a good thing, I admit, but I think it's always better to wait until you know more about the word of God before you start talking. Those, on the other hand, who believe they know the word tend to reject the counsel of others who seek to keep them from falling into sin. They get angry quickly and recite verses to justify themselves.
God commands us to study and meditate on the word, Jesus commands us to keep His commandments, but nowhere in the Bible do we find that our knowledge of the word is sufficient for us to refuse the teachings or exhortations of others. "Quick to listen" means that one is always ready to receive more knowledge because one will never stop learning and discovering more truths from the word of God.
James introduces three things we absolutely must be able to do before saying what our negative attitude will not accomplish. In this sense, I advise you today, always be ready to learn from others even if you are older, more educated and more experienced than them. God can use an illiterate to save the intelligent. And when your sin is touched, rather be humble than try to defend yourself by using everything you know about God, because that won't do you justice.
Comments