When you study the epistle of Pastor James, he emphasises certain facts of the conduct of the believing man, and chief amongst these is the use of our tongue(words). He dedicates a whole chapter to this!
As he begin his treatise, James affirms that we will all be tempted. We will all “fall” into temptations (James 1:2). The word he uses for “fall” here doesn’t mean to commit sin when tempted, it means to be surrounded by temptations. This is something that will happen to every believer! It is normal!
He says, count it all joy when temptation comes in! Why so? Because when you are tempted, there is an opportunity to show forth the fruits of maturity. We know we are growing when temptation comes in, and we are consistent in our walk in the Spirit. It is therefore right to say that a true/growing/matured Christian is known in times of temptation.
He, however, reveals that responding well to temptations require wisdom! Recall that Jesus had explained a wise man as the man who hears and does His word (Matthew 7:24-27). Such a man will thrive and stand when the floods come, and he will not crumble. This wisdom comes from the Spirit, thus James says we should ask of God (James 1:5-8). We should pray for it! In our humanity, we will always respond as fools when tempted, but God gives wisdom. He will teach us, and lead us! We’ll revisit this later.
James later points our attention to God. He cannot be tempted with evil and He doesn’t tempt any man. Put it simply, God doesn’t respond foolishly to temptations. He is constant and consistent. He is WISE! If you tempt God, thinking you’d make him misbehave, you’re wasting your time. Never gonna happen (James 1:13-15)!
From here, he shows us the new birth. We are begotten of this God who will never misbehave when tempted. He is the Father of lights, and He is consistent in His walk in the light. There’s no variableness nor shadow of turning. This is our God! If indeed He is our Dad, then He has given us that same Spirit. In and by the Spirit, we have received the ability to NOT misbehave when we are tempted. We have received consistency in the truth. We have received stability (James 1:16-18).
Then James says, be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. He puts the spotlight here on Jesus, God as a man. He is the Firstborn, our model and example. A vital fact of his sufferings is that when he was provoked, slandered, and insulted, he said no word! (Isaiah 53:7). Mere mortals put their fingers in his mouth and he refused to bite them. He let them get away with it. This is God…our God…leading us by example! Peter says no guile was found in his mouth (1Peter 2:21-24). He could not be successfully tempted to do evil!
So, as you follow James, you will see that what he explains as “evil” in verse 13, will be seen in what you say when you are angry. Jesus did no evil because he said nothing! Thus, we keep ourselves from evil when we are swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. Be “slow to speak” means, say nothing! It doesn’t mean to speak slowly; slow is an old word that refers to the non-existence of a thing. Recall that Jesus said His disciples were slow of heart to believe, and he was speaking of their unbelief.
That said.
This is what James calls wisdom when you are tempted in anger: say nothing! The man who speaks when he is angry is a fool, and is certainly not walking the Spirit. I know this happens to the best of us, especially when we are provoked, and our emotions get the best of us, but hey, we’ve got to learn to get better. Yes? So, even the intensity of provocation will never suffice as justification of untamed speech in anger.
James says that this wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be interested, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy (James 3:18). All of these is within the context of our relationships with men. We ensure peace! We choose mercy instead of wrath!
The opposite of the above? James call it devilish and sesual wisdom. It is the kind of wisdom that opens its mouth wide in anger and releases words from the depths of hell itself. It doesn’t mind whose ox is gored! It says “its mind”, without regard for effect, repercussions, or consequences. The outcome? Strife, envying, confusion, and every evil work! This is satan’s turf. This is where he reigns as king! Thus, the man who despises restraints when he is angry makes himself a tool of satan. He thinks he is simply being himself and emptying his mind, but he is actually not in control of himself. Satan is using him. Full stop!
The man who is wise in the wisdom of God discerns things that will lead to strife and avoids it. He prioritises the bond of the brotherhood! Many times, he lays down his right to say or do certain things to preserve the brotherhood. Devilish wisdom cares for nothing about these things! Brotherhood, my foot! Let whatever will break, break. This is satan’s words expressed through the lips of an undiscerning collaborator.
James is clear.
If you can keep your tongue (or your fingers), indeed you are growing spiritually (James 3:1&2). You are learning well of your master. He says that the man who spills venom of bile and strife should not boast about it. There’s nothing to glory in! People may clap for you and praise you for saying your mind, but if there be the Spirit within you, you should find that pull back. There are many times we pick our phones to type out of anger, but that voice is always there saying…”delete this…delete that”. The issue is that many times, we are too overwhelmed with anger to hear, or we can hear, but that drive to bear it all out it so strong that we don’t mind disobeying God to fulfill our lust. After all, our God is merciful and forgiving. Isn’t He?
That is not the way of a true Christian.
And that is not your way, dear Christian.
Listen to Apostles James today.
Especially in these days that we are in.
Watch what you are angry about, because satan will seek to exploit your anger, to accomplish all manner of evil works.
Be discerning.
Be wise.
God is with you.
Amen
