TAKE NOTE!

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“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

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

I have heard people say more than a few times that they are lacking direction in life. These people are yearning for some guidance to help them navigate through the daily challenges that living can bring.

Thank goodness that in the Bible we find all the guidance and direction we could ever need. Over and over again in the scriptures, we find the Lord providing us direction through His holy word and as we look at our passage for today, we find one of those many instances. Look again at these two verses from James, chapter 1:

“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

We’ve already established that the Lord never stops providing His people instruction but that doesn’t necessarily mean His people are always paying attention to it. That’s why at times we find the Lord having to command the readers of His word to “take note” of what He is saying. And when the Lord is saying, “take note” we had better do it for what comes after is inherently important and to be obeyed.

In this instance, we find the Lord giving us several exhortations and none of them are optional or exclusionary.

First, everyone should be quick to listen.

Now there has been a phrase that has circulated for as long as I remember that simply says this:

“God gave you two ears and one mouth so you should listen twice as much as you talk.”

While this little axiom is good, I think this one is better:

“When you take the letters of the word “listen” and rearrange them, you get the word “silent”. Therefore you should make sure that you still and clear your mind and heart, open your ears, and truly lend attention to all the words someone is saying to you.”

Whether you prescribe to the first, the second, or both of these sayings, the point is the same. We can’t afford to stop listening when we should, not just because it’s the right and respectful thing to do but rather because the Lord commanded us to do it. We need to be quick to listen and then do it right.

The second thing the Lord demands we take note of is that we need to be slow to speak.

Why is this something the Lord feels He has to address?

Because how many times have you opened your mouth and said things you regretted, all because you failed to pause and think about your words and heart attitude beforehand? Or maybe you have been on the receiving end as someone sounded off without advance consideration of their words. I’m sure it wasn’t a pleasant experience and I feel most everyone has gone through it. We don’t like it when it happens to us so why in the world would we do it to another? And yet, it happens and so this stipulation from the Lord continues to be needed.

Finally, the Lord requires His people to be slow when it comes to becoming angry.

Why?

Because rarely does any positive outcome result from displays of human anger. Rather, angry behavior leads a person down the road paved with transgression more often than not and the end result is that a person fails to exercise and “produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Be quick to listen, slow to talk, and slow to anger.

Today and every day, the Lord expects us to take note and remain obedient to His guidance and direction.

As you read this devotion and self reflect, how well are you doing in this area?

If improvement is needed in one or more areas, ask the Lord to grant you the strength to improve. He will answer that prayer and render help, rest assured of that.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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