By Jannie Linney
In our studies, we have seen that the testing of our faith produces. Well faith also obeys. “Therefore, 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” [James 1:19-20]. We see that the testing of our faith is supposed to produce righteousness. Here the Word shows us three steps that apparently produces righteousness through faith.“ Without faith it is impossible to please God” [Heb.11:6]. True faith obeys.
Be swift to Hear: Very quick or fast; speedy; rapid; prompt. In Verse 21 it says receive with meekness the implanted word. So this is leading us to be very quick to receive the Word of God. He said for those who have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says to the church. So, some must not have ears to hear.
Then there are those who don’t want to listen or He wouldn’t see the need to encouraging us to be swift to hear. The scripture also says to be doers of the word not hearers only. Faith hears and obeys.
Slow to speak: Not willing to hurry. Moving, flowing, proceeding at less than usual speed. Taking more time than usual.[Web. Dict.]. Have you ever noticed someone who tries to answer before a question is fully asked? Or butts in when someone else is speaking. The lack of communication is the cause of most arguments, misunderstandings or hurts. In this context it is better to be swift to hear, then just be quiet and listen for the Holy Spirit to open up our understanding of what we have just heard. This must be one reason that God gave us two ears and only one mouth!
Slow to Wrath: Slow is the same, proceeding at less than usual speed. We take our time to think things out. We don’t want to react to someone’s bad act. We don’t know what they went through before they got to us. We are swift to hear what the Spirit may be trying to tell us. He may want to give us wisdom of their situation. We are slow to respond to their action or the turmoil in them and slow to wrath or having anger. We have faith in what God can do through us. God called us to pray and help them get through a bad time. This produces the righteousness of God in us.
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your soul”[v21]. We learned in the past that our soul is our mind, will, and emotions. Now let’s reflect for a minute, if we are swift to hear this implanted word of God, listen to the Holy Spirit before we speak, give the other person the benefit of the doubt, just think about it, how that can save our soul=our mind, will and emotions, we can be relieved a lot of anxiety. All the things we could have done, the filthiness [vile words], the wickedness [actions],that could cause more problems and keep us from producing the righteousness of God. Now this is one understanding of this passage but not the only understanding. We want to let “Faith Produce Righteousness” in us!
