11 February 2008 Devotion for Today “Slow to Speak!” James 1:19-20

I seldom read this passage of Scripture without remembering one of my professors at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. William Tolar taught a course in hermeneutics (Biblical origins and translation) in my first year there in 1983. He always gave excellent, up-beat, dynamic, very interesting and sometimes humorous lectures in his distinctive Louisiana Cajun draw. At times, when he was excited (because he was always excited about his subject matter) he would have a tendency to talk rapidly. I remember a student putting up his hand in the lecture hall and said, “Dr. Tolar, I am taking notes just as fast as I can, but sir, I’m sure you know that the Bible says ‘let every man be slow to speak!” The class broke up in laughter. Dr. Tolar grinned and did not skip a beat: “Yes, and it also says, ‘be swift to hear!”

Dr. Tolar continued by saying that this is why God made us with two ears and one mouth, so that we would listen twice as much as what we say. James seconds that sentiment by saying “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” James implies what would have been a statement of the obvious had he written it: not every man is like that. Some have the tendency to “pop off” before they know the facts, “calling them the way they see them” without taking the time to listen. James tells us also in verse 20, “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” The goal of our lives as believers in Christ is to produce the righteousness of Christ in us-that is, the development of Christ’s character within us. Did Christ exhibit anger? Yes, He did. But that was righteous anger which took the time to examine the facts and to listen carefully before He took the action of driving the money changers out of the Temple.

What about our actions today. It is especially easy to get upset and defensive when someone confronts us with something we do not like. Be swift to hear-listen to what they say. They may not say it in the tone that we appreciate, but they may have a point that there is something about us that they feel needs improvement. Accept it graciously by being slow to speak. Proverbs 15:1 says that “ a soft answer turneth away wrath.” Nothing disarms vehement criticism when you say, “You know, you are probably right. I’ve been struggling with such and such and appreciate your pointing that out to me...” That leaves the person with nothing else to say. Slow to wrath is an excellent witness because the one who comes storming up to you is expecting a response in kind, and when you don’t react the way he expects, he may feel ashamed that he acted that way to you even if he would never dare admit it.

Seek to produce the righteousness of Christ in your life today, and you, and others will have a blessed day!

(From 04 June 1999)