Hear It and Heed It

 

"Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what is says." James 1:22

 

Open wide!  Take your medicine.  I know it's bitter.  I know you want to run from it, but gulp down every drop- you are going to need it... if you are going to get well.  That is what today's verse is- medicine.  STRONG medicine!

 

At first glance, this verse could seem overly simplistic.  Somewhat like saying, if you have a weight problem, quit over-eating. Or if you are in debt, quit spending.  We know that!  We just are not sure how to actually do it.

 

So today's verse boils down to this- 1) hear the Word; 2) obey the Word.  Alrighty then. That sounds like instructions a preschooler could follow.  So why is it hard?  Because we tend to be selfish and self-serving.  Because we want easy, comfortable and convenient.  Character does not come like that.  It comes when we take the hard road because it is right.  It comes  when  we go the extra mile with no hope of return on our effort.

 

The Bible says to be slow to become angry.  Thus, we must conquer our temper.  The Bible says not to gossip, therefore we must curb our tongue.  The Bible warns us against lust.  So you may need to avoid the lingerie catalog!  It is really not hard to understand what God wants; really it comes down to one simple thing.  Obedience.  But it is hard, we whine.  To our flesh it is.  But when we set our heart to obey, the Spirit of God shows up to help.  The grace of God grants us the "can do."  That's the difference between the examples I gave about weight loss and debt reduction and obedience to the Bible.  The Word of God goes beyond common sense, because it is a living Word.  God hovers over his Word to perform it and to help us to carry it out in our own lives.

 

I also cannot  overstate the importance of Godly friends who keep us accountable.  Today I was tempted to cut a corner in a situation, to compromise a bit to save time and money.  Knowing my temptation, I called upon a Godly friend and said "Talk the devil out of me."  And she did.  It tasted a little bitter in my mouth, but it settled on my stomach as pleasant. Doing the right thing really does, just feel better!!

 

 

Dear Lord, help me to be obedient to all of the commands in the Bible.  Not just to the  ones I find easy.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

Sherri

 

 

 

Up to Speed

“My dear brothers, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”  James 1:19

This is one of those verses.  When I am doing well and having nor problems, I can read this and quickly assent, “Yes, that’s a good way to live.”  But when I have an injustice done to me, it seems the anger is there before I have a chance to think.  Then, BOOM!  I am quick to listen,, quick to speak and quicker still to become angry.  Then this verse hits me between the eyes.  Can anyone relate?

God’s Word is wise and profound.  Every syllable penned in the Word of God is intentional and has a purpose.  They exist because we need to hear them.

 Many a grade school teacher has reminded the students, “You have one mouth and two ears, so you should be listening twice as much as you are talking.”  I hate it.  But it’s true.  Why?  Because many times we only hear half the story.  We assume a whole bunch, we read into it and we blow our fuse before the person finishes what they are saying.

Choosing to hear a matter out to the end before jumping to a conclusion is one of the wisest things we can do.  Often, we are taking it as far worse than it is.  And of course, sometimes we are taking it exactly like it is.  That is why the next part says we are to be slow to speak.  Just because it crosses our mind does not mean it needs to jump out of our mouth.

How many times have we uttered hateful words when angry, because we wanted to reciprocate pain to the person hurting us?  How many times later do we regret those words?  We all know that an apology seldom erases all of the damage that thoughtless words have inflicted.  We forgive, but forgetting? That is so much more difficult.  If a comment is worth saying, it will be worth saying when all of the emotion of the moment has settled down.

Slow to become angry.  That’s a toughie, because it often seems like the anger comes out of nowhere.  But anger is something we can exert control over- if we rely on the help of the Holy Spirit.  We have to renew our minds to the truth of the Bible, and defer to the quiet voice of the Spirit speaking to us.

Dear Lord, help me overcome every evil tendency in my human nature.  Help me to reflect your image at all times and in every situation.  Help me to walk in wisdom and restraint.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.