James 1:19-27...Sunday,February 14th, 2011...Part One

We had a wonderful Valentine's celebration in class this past Sunday. May God bless you this week.

Vv 19-20: James starts verse 19 in some translations with the words, "So then." Our question was "So then" what and why? We saw last week in Vv 17 & 18 that every every good and perfect gift comes from God. Also, that God not only created us because He wanted to but we are HIS CHOSEN POSSESSION.

With this in mind, James is now saying, "Be slow to speak and slow to wrath and swift to hear"

QUESTION: When is a time when we are most likely to be the exact opposite of verse 19...
            "Quick to speak, quick to anger & slow to hear"

ANSWER: During difficulty. See now why James has started verse 19 with "So then"

Vv 21-25: James is now expanding on hearing in these verses. The act of putting life to the Word.

***True hearing is putting action that is an appropriate response to what is heard***


QUESTION: Did you know that when you hear but do not live what you hear you are deceiving yourself?


We must understand that if we do NOT act on the Truth of God's Word...we deceive ourselves because the truth heard doesn't stays before us and we soon forget it (the truth). 


This person is a forgetful hearer. A forgetful hearer looks at Scripture (at church, in Bible Study, Sunday School, etc) but once leaving the setting forgets what God has said. The hearer's life is unaffected.

Here is a really TOUGH QUESTION: How often are we the forgetful hearer?


Here is an absurd example of a forgetful hearer & how they are living in deception: Imagine going to the Doctor to heard recommendations of how to get well but never following through with any of the Doctor's recommendations. The deception is we believe just hearing the Doctor's recommendation is enough to make us well. 


OK...I admit the example is absurd. However, we do this every time we go to church, bible study, Sunday School, etc and listen to God's recommendations for an abundant life but never follow through with any of God's recommendations.  


The good news is there is the opposite of the forgetful hearer. This is the one who walks away and not only looks and listens to God's Word but lives it and they become an effectual doer of God's Word.  Because this person doesn't forget what they have heard they have the ability to "be slow to speak, quick to hear and slow to anger" when life starts squeezing them from all sides. Another bonus is they remember who they belong to in all circumstances.

WATCH FOR PART TWO OF SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14TH'S LESSON....