James 1:19-27

James 1:19-27
¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ 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.

Slow to anger.  The Holy Spirit has done and incredible work in me, but I'm not "there" yet.  When getting angry don't ask, "Do I have the RIGHT to be angry?".  Ask yourself, "Do I have the DUTY to be angry?".  

If one is angry about their rights being violated by some perceived offense, this is human anger and does not produce righteousness.  It stems from pride.  If one sees a situation that violates God's standards, then we have the duty to be angry about it.  Be careful how you act on that anger. Eph 4:26 warns us not to sin while angry. 

One may ask what verse 21 has to do with anger.  Immorality and anger go hand in hand.  I learned the fruit of the spirit at a young age, but the deeds of the flesh build on each other.  Galatians 5:19-25 speaks of both but I only want to show the link between filth and anger.  ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  It is my conviction that they build on one another.  If there is filth in your life, get rid of it.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

The doing.  That is the major issue with all of us.  Slowly, as the Word of God works through my life I am changing.  I find that I apply more and more of what I read.  God's word really is freedom.  It's our liberty and right to do what ever we want that are the chains.

Also note that scripture is a mirror.  When we look in a mirror we see our own face and not that of a parent or sibling or Christian friend.  Therefore be VERY careful when you read a passage and think how (fill in the person's name) needs to read and apply it.  Make sure you apply Matthew 7:3-5 before approaching them.

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

How is your speech?  Do you take care of widows and orphans?  These are all great things to do in the name of God and for God's glory. Matthew 25:31-46

 Have you kept yourself pure?  Good, but keep in mind it will not save you.  Isaiah 64:6  Only faith in Christ can do that. John 3:16

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.