Sound Advice

Daily Reading:  James 1

Scripture Focus: Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1.19-20)

Devotional Thought: I love getting sound advice!  James advises us to be...

• Quick to listen.  Sadly, listening is not the first impulse we have when we are engaged in conversation.  We must discipline ourselves to listen.  Remember, listening involves more than just silence and hearing.  To truly listen, we must process what we are hearing from the speaker’s point of reference.  My wife can tell if I am listening to her – or just being quiet and thinking about something else!

• Slow to speak.  I think it started with “Crossfire” on CNN back in 1982.  I’m referring to two people shouting over each other on a “talk show.”  It has become standard practice on cable TV news - and sadly in congressional hearings!  The art of civil conversation has been lost.  Everyone is rushing to speak their minds.  The problem is, no one is listening. 

• With rising voices come rising tempers.  And why, after all, should we become angry when someone simply disagrees with us?  But, we see it all the time.  Let's reserve our anger for more important things, for things that really cause harm.  Today’s politicians and pundits demonize those who disagree with them, and create a toxic soup of distrust and anger in our public discourse.  That kind of thing has no place in the church. 

Biting words that lead to anger, will not bring the righteousness of God.  That requires that we listen carefully – first and foremost to God.  We can learn to do that by learning to listen to those around us.

Prayer: Lord, I know that my tendency is to speak first and to listen second.  Help me to change that around so that I can  bring about your righteousness.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 44.9-16

9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies.

10 You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil.

11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations.

12 You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them.

13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us.

14 You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples.

15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face

16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.