"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. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." - James 1: 19 - 21

James is really laying into these folks.  Hitting so many different aspects of daily living and what's incredible is that it's so applicable to our lives today.

Such powerful advice for our lives everyday:

- quick to listen
- slow to speak
- slow to anger

I think i've spoken about this before but i'm a huge fan of taking a minute before responding.  Thinking through the response so that I don't say something that I'm going to regret.  I remember over the summer how I had really gotten into a situation that required a response but i took a good 30 minutes to sit, think and evaluate all that happened before speaking to the other parties involved.  it worked.  i had a cool head, was able to speak clearly and was all the better for it.  i encourage you today, be quick to listen, slow to speak and even slower to anger.

James goes on to say that we should get rid of moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent.  If he lived in today's world his head would probably explode.  we are so surrounded by moral filth and evil that it's sickening.  Therefore, what should we do?  Stay close to Jesus.  The more that we interact with him and his word, the closer we are to him and the less likely we are to sin because we are continually absorbing his word, his commands, his advice and his wisdom.

Then he throws this in.  "Humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."  Let that sink in.  These words can actually save you.  

Absorb the words.  Let them live deep in your soul.  Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slower to anger.  

In verses 22-25 we get this message....We actually have to do it, we have to go for it. Not just listen.  Hmm.  Above we spoke about how we need to listen, not speak quickly and don't get angry.  But what happens if we read all this great stuff in James and then don't even implement it in our lives.  James tells us it's like looking in the mirror, seeing yourself and then immediately forgetting what you look like!  

Do what it says.  He implores his readers.  Don't just listen, do it.  Act.  I love how he uses the word freedom later in this passage.  As we look into this law that gives freedom, you will be blessed.  I'm going to start praying this often.  God, help me to remember your word and actually implement it.  Let it work in my life and change my actions and the way I handle situations.  

Be encouraged today.  Don't merely listen. Do what it says.  Let this simple, short passage hit home.  Let it work deep in your heart and let it change the way you live.

God. Prayers for all of us today as we listen and act.

Want to dig deeper.  Check out the video below.  Prayers up for you today as you seek Jesus in your life.

Amen.