How to Receive God’s Word

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be

quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger
of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness
and receive with meekness the implanted word,
which is able to save your souls.”

James 1:19-21

Through James, God is telling His people how to receive His written Word, the Bible.

In verse 19, the word translated “quick” or “swift” has the idea of an eagerness to learn. In personal Bible Study we “hear” with our eyes as we read the Bible. Our hearts are open and willing to be instructed.

“Quick to hear” means wanting to learn.

In public worship at church, we are “quick to hear” when we prepare our heart to listen, when we come to church well-rested and fully alert to receive God’s truth.

This attitude requires humility since pride and arrogance are the antithesis of wisdom and actually shut down the learning process.

A heart that is “quick to hear” isn’t framing its own internal arguments, but is intent on benefiting from the teaching of God’s Word.

All of the apostles’ teaching was first conveyed orally to the churches, either by the apostles themselves or by those who heard their message and relayed it to the church. Then the message was inscripturated by letters and gospels under the inspiration of God.

In fact, it is widely accepted that James was the first inspired letter after the ascension of Christ. This is early NT Scripture. To grow spiritually healthy in Christ believers have to be “quick to hear” God’s Word.

Second, believers who willingly submit to God’s Word must be slow to speak (19b).

This second trait is the “conjoined sibling” of the first. They can never be separated without disfiguring both. We never experience “quick to hear” without also experiencing “slow to speak.” They always go together.

In this context, “slow to speak” involves not thinking about one’s own thoughts and ideas while someone else is trying to explain the meaning of Scripture. This is a picture of disciplined restraint. It starts on the inside. “Slow to speak” begins in your heart.

The churches to which James wrote were less structured and invited more personal interaction as well as creating a climate where abuse was possible.

The speaker could be easily interrupted, and hasty, irreverent, or worthless comments could detract from the ministry of the Word. James commands those who had such interrupting tendencies to be “slow to speak.”

And third, Believers who willingly submit to God’s Word must be slow to anger (19c – 20).

The Greek word ὀργὴ (anger or wrath) in verse 19 doesn’t refer to an explosive outburst, but rather to an inner, deep resentment that seethes and smolders.

It’s an anger that is often unnoticed by others. It is therefore an anger that only the Lord and the believer know about. And for that very reason, it is a special danger in that it can be privately harbored.

In the context of James, it refers to an attitude hostile to scriptural truth when it doesn’t correspond to one’s own convictions, manifested—even if only inwardly—against those who faithfully teach God’s Word.

Solomon said in Proverbs 29:11, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Anger destroys those who harbor it.

So that’s an overview of three keys to receiving God’s Word with a willing heart.

May we all be directed by these thoughts when receiving God’s written Word.

Love in the Truth,
Pastor Kevin

 

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.