James 1:19-27 NKJV
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Today’s reading has James teaching us to take care of our tongue. And the first step to taking care of our tongue is to employ our ears: “…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.” Theology aside for a moment, it would be good for all people to follow this advice, especially in our overcharged political climate, but also simply in general. Too many folks listen in order to respond or argue instead of listening to understand and actually hear and process what someone else is saying. Too often, quick responses are not well thought out and make things worse.
James also warns us to “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” And here we get to the heart of the Christian life: hearing and receiving the soul-saving word of God. Nothing else in all the world is more important that receiving what God has to give us. He is the Giver; we simply receive with thankfulness. Luther said, “We are beggars, this is true.” Our life as God’s children is one of understanding that, without faith in Christ’s all-atoning sacrifice for our sins, we deserve nothing from God but His wrath and displeasure. And as we confess our sins in the Divine Liturgy each week, we are begging God not to treat us as our sins deserve but to have mercy on us for the sake of His Son who has paid for our sins. And then He delivers Himself to us in the preached Word and the forgiveness and strength doled out in the Sacraments. Those are the ways that God feeds and nourishes us in order that we may then lead peaceable lives in godliness and, with His grace and mercy, “keep oneself unspotted by the world.”
Let us pray: Gracious Father in heaven, help me to listen to Your Word more carefully each day. And as You sanctify and strengthen me, help me to be a better neighbor to those around me, listening with care and compassion, and thus glorifying You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.