Read the Passage here.
I get angry too quickly.
There is some simple but effective advice in this passage to help me
overcome that – listen. We listen
because it reminds us that we are not more important than others and we listen
because it prevents us from becoming angry quickly.
We shouldn’t be angry, therefore, we should get rid of all
moral filth and evil and accept the word that’s in us (v21). The cause of our anger is moral filth and
evil! This passage says if we do not control our evil desires, our tongue or
our temper then any ‘religion’ we have is useless. As Christians we can be quick to become angry
about ‘righteous’ things but perhaps when we take into account what James says
we should examine our hearts to ensure we are not simply bringing the ugliness
from inside us out into the open.
Possible areas of discussion
Is it
possible to have ‘righteous anger’?
We love a
debate but is listening difficult?
How often do
you have your mind changed by someone?
Is perhaps
listening to the word in order to do what it says the most difficult form of
listening?
Feel free to
talk about these things or anything else the passage throws up.
I think we have lost the art of listening. And there are times we listen to others just so we can say something interesting ourselves and not because we want to know their story and how God is working in their lives. We need to ask others "How are you?" and really want to hear the answer.
ReplyDeleteAnother random thought - has anyone ever seen a good example of Righteous Anger? I'm not sure I have.
ReplyDeleteJesus at the temple? Outside of the biblical examples I'm not sure I have witnessed much.
DeleteI can't think of any either. Perhaps that tells us something.
ReplyDelete