Reading Plan:
James 1:19-27



Slow to Anger
Author: Cody Smith

Before jumping into today’s devotion, think back to what we talked about yesterday concerning how Christians should respond to trials. There’s the world’s way: anger, frustration, anxiety, fear, sadness, etc. Then there’s God’s way: count it all joy knowing that trials allow us to test our faith to produce patience and steadfastness and draw us closer to our Heavenly Father.

It’s interesting to note that we can’t be angry and joyful at the same time. They are opposing internal forces that either align with the world or God. So it shouldn’t strike us as odd that James writes the following after talking about counting trials in life as joy:

“Know this, my beloved brothers: 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

Notice it didn’t say anger produces nothing. It simply said that anger does not produce the righteousness of God. Anger certainly produces a seed to reproduce after its own kind. There are some choices we make because we are angry. We’ve all said something that we immediately regretted because it was said in anger.

It’s in times of trial that we are the most vulnerable to reacting in anger especially when we feel we’ve been wronged. It’s in those moments when being quick to hear and slow to speak are of the utmost importance to have a moment of clarity. We can choose to take a step back and remember that in trials we have a choice to react as the world or react in God’s character - to count it all joy, to shine among men, and to become closer to God in the process. To show that we are not just listeners of God’s word with head knowledge, but doers of the word in how we react to trials and challenges in life.

It boils down to whether or not our actions or reactions produce worldly results or Godly seeds of joy. Do our actions truly show the world what we believe and where we put our faith? How have you reacted to trials lately? If your reactions have looked more like the world's, don't be discouraged! We are so fortunate to have a Heavenly Father who not only shows us mercy but also gives us His grace to take steps to look more like Him each and every day.


Reflection: 

• What does being quick to listen and slow to speak look like when life presents challenges or difficulties?
• What is an area God is working in you to draw you closer to Him when you face trials?

Family Application: Slow to Speak & Quick to Listen
Author: Cooper Herrington

• Have you ever been really angry? As angry as the Hulk? How did that go for you? Maybe you said something unkind or did something unkind. In today’s Bible Reading Plan, James tells us that we don’t usually make the best decisions when we get really angry.
• James says that we don’t usually love people well when we are angry. He says that when we are angry, we should listen and wait to speak. If we can listen to what the other person says and not speak too quickly, we might hear something that will help us understand their side. This can help make us less angry. This can be really hard, but you can do it with God’s help.
• Start asking God for help when you are angry. Ask Him to help you listen to others even when it is really hard to listen. Ask God to help you love the world.
• Prayer: God, You are so loving! Thank You for the Bible stories that teach us and guide us! God, help me to show Your love to everyone around me. Amen.