Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak: How James 1 Transforms Your Words & Anger

Our Lead Pastor, Whit George, continues week four of our teaching series, Hearers & Doers: A Study in the Book of James. God’s Word is powerful and consistent, but our receptivity makes the difference. 

James calls us to posture ourselves with humility, quick to listen and slow to speak—because our words and our temper reveal what’s really inside of us. The gospel that saves us is the same gospel that sustains us—and as we yield to it, we’re transformed to look more like Christ.

In this message, Pastor Whit explores the following Scriptures: 

James 1:16-21 ESV 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.19 You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 

John 1:12-13 ESV 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Mark 4:20 ESV 20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” 

James 1:26 ESV 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Psalm 4:4-5 ESV 4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

Psalm 130:3-4 ESV 3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. 

Luke 6:41-42 ESV 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 ... first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.