The Weekly Perspective
by TJ Draper, Deacon
As we look around, frustrated by the political shenanigans, the state of the world, the abounding of wickedness, it can be easy to get angry at the state of things. Which is why keeping James chapter 1 in the forefront of our minds is a really good idea.
James wrote his epistle to first-century Christian Jews under trials and persecution, fleeing for their lives. So James commends joy in trials, and lets them know that they are blessed to endure persecution.
And in verse 19–20 he says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” This three-fold exhortation is important to keep in mind.
1. Be swift to hear. We should be in a posture of listening to God in the tribulation of the world around us. What is He trying to teach us? Be swift to hear from brothers and sisters who may have things to teach in the midst of these times. And even being sure to hear and understand opponents.
2. Be slow to speak. This is the other side of the coin of the first exhortation. When one is speaking, it is extraordinarily difficult to listen.
3. Be slow to anger. Failure to listen, running quickly to frenzied words, can stir up fleshly, worldly anger. And James says that this does not produce the righteousness of God.
And note that the righteousness of God is often linked with deliverance of His people and keeping of covenant promises (Psalm 31, 71, etc.). So remember when tempted to anger and the wrath of man, that this cannot work the righteous deliverance of God. And so we must learn to put our trust in God and His son Jesus, our deliverer. He is faithful, and His righteousness is what we yearn for.