Be quick to hear (v. 19)
- Read the Bible
- Listen to sermons
- Attend Sunday school
- Listen to the Bible on cd
- Listen to Christian radio
- Watch Christian television
- Attend Bible studies
Be slow to speak
- Listen more than you talk.
- Think before you speak
- Think about what you are going to say
- Consider all the implications of your actions and words.
Be slow to anger
- Hold your temper
- Learn to count to 10
Do what your faith teaches you to do… (v. 22)
Practice what you hear/ preach.
Practical steps for putting your faith into action…
- Bridle your tongue. (v. 26- There will be more on this later in James). Do not get caught up in gossip, swearing, negativity, lying.
- Visit orphans and widows. (v. 27) There are more people in need now than at any time that I can remember. Now it appears that it will only get worse. Do not be afraid to care for and share with others who are in need.
- Keep yourself pure. (v. 27) Do not get involved in things that are sinful or displeasing to God. Be careful always. Think about what Jesus would do.
2 comments:
Which is harder for you: Being quick to listen, slow to speak, or slow to anger? Why is that so?
For me, slow to speak and slow to anger usually go together. Unfortunately I tend not to be slow to speak and it is due to my quick anger. I get irritated way too easily and I tend to blurt out things that may be exagerated and sometimes hurtful. I tend to like things "my way" and instead of thinking things through before I speak I usually speak what is on my mind and usually with a touch of anger/frustration. This is something I have been trying to work through and have been having some success - just be stepping back from the situation. Think of the WHOLE picture before making any judgements.
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