08/16/2026
James 1:19-20
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Now, here is one for you, James addresses every man with sound instruction. “Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” If you are like most of the people walking this planet, we struggle with this advice. James makes it clear, the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
All of us have asked God to turn His head for just a moment and allow us to handle certain situations as we see fit, but the wrath of man is not in alignment with the righteousness of God. It is when we face this moment that our hearing becomes disengaged, while our vocal ability seems to shine forth the darkness in our heart.
Paul penned to the church in Rome in Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Isaiah declared in Isaiah 63:4, “For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.” If we will take the words of James to heart, we will come to realize God already has a decided outcome, not only for us but the enemy too.
Jeremiah 29:11 declared, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” When we rein in our opinions, open our hearing, and lay aside our wrath, we find out God already has an expected end for the enemy.
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to realize the power in swift hearing and slow speech.
