“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.”
James 1:19-20 NIV
Have you ever said something to someone and the minute it was said, you regretted the words you spoke?James is trying to tells us that we really need to work on being good listeners, being slow to speak and even slower to become angry. Human anger does not produce the intended fruit of God’s kingdom. Words once said cannot be taken back no matter the apology offered.
God has called us all to testify of his great love and goodness. How can words of anger further such an effort to win the lost? We should be concerned about reaching people with the Good News not winning a senseless argument. Our words should be about building up, encouraging and showing compassion not getting in the final blow of an argument. People can only judge our intent by the way we live our lives. Therefore, we should eliminate any hypocrisy in our actions and our speech. If you want to be considered a caring and truthful person, it must be done in love not verbal abuse.
Strive today and everyday to speak words of compassion not anger and unforgiveness. Be slow to anger, slower still to speak in such anger. Our words matter more than you know!
In Christ
RJ