James and the Anger Alternative
Surrender your anger, don’t surrender to it.
James 1:19-21
James and the Anger Alternative
James 1:19-21
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
-Anger is a powerful emotion. You could say it is one of the most powerful emotions.
-James is writing to men and women who were angry, at least they had lots of reasons to be. These were believers in a very difficult situation – they were poor, frustrated, oppressed and far from home.
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
In the midst of all they are facing James says (verse 19):
-“be quick to listen” (hurry up and listen)
-“be slow to speak” (delay your speaking)
-“be slow to become angry”
James makes the distinction here regarding human anger (verse 20).
-This is uncontrolled and passionate rage and wrath.
-Human anger is not going to produce God’s best in you. It leads us to think differently, act and respond differently. It literally controls us!
-Human anger never helps you. It hurts you.
James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
-Anger does not produce God’s righteousness. It produces filth.
‘humbly’
-The opposite of humility is pride. A posture of pride doesn’t help us respond in obedience.
‘accept the word’
-Accepting the word here means to allow it to have its intended impact on our lives.
-James always sees the Gospel through the lens of action and obedience. So ‘accepting’ the Word means ‘doing’ the Word.
‘planted in you’
-We don’t allow anger to become planted within us, instead we allow God’s Word to be planted within us.
-Jeremiah 31:33, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”
‘which can save you’
-As believers, James is not just referring to their salvation, which many of them have experienced. The salvation here is referring to the ultimate deliverance from sin and death in the final days.
Matthew 5:21-24
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Surrender your anger, don’t surrender to it.
Other verses for study/reflection:
Proverbs 16:32
Ephesians 4:26-27
Psalm 37:8
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Proverbs 19:11
James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY