Being the Righteousness of Christ

James 1:19-20

“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.”

Righteousness is the main objective in this verse. Wrath is the subject of this verse. James says that our anger will not, nor can it, produce the righteousness of God. Wrath has to be quenched for righteousness to prevail.

I watched one day at church about twenty-two years ago, a lady berating the pastor, and the pastor took it. He listened, and he tried to hear the lady out, but it seemed as if she was not satisfied that he was just listening. It was as if she wanted him to grovel. He did what James asked him to do. He was swift to listen, slow to speak, and he did not get angry. He just listened and tried to empathize with her, but that was not what she wanted. She wanted him to squirm.

I gave our church a statement a few weeks ago: “First, seek to understand, then be understood.” It is one of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Book by Stephen Covey).

To overcome anger, is to seek to understand the person that you are speaking to, even if anger has already taken form. In understanding someone in a conflict, hopefully they will give way to understand you at the end of the person’s rant. To do that shows maturity. If they do not want to hear your side, they are showing their maturity.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to seek Your righteousness in all of our conversations, relationships, and in every conflict. To do that will show that we are seeking maturity. In Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!