James 1:19 gives us a simple yet profound instruction: “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” It sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? But in reality, this is incredibly difficult to live out.
Most of us, if we’re being honest, don’t listen to understand—we listen to respond. We often feel like we have something important to say, or that we need to be heard. We’re quick to jump into conversations, ready to share our own thoughts or offer a solution, instead of pausing to truly hear the other person. And let’s not even get started on how easily we can become offended or emotional when things don’t go our way. Our culture trains us to react quickly, to give our opinions on everything, and to let our emotions drive us. But James isn’t just offering some good advice—he’s laying out a mindset that could radically transform our relationships and our lives.
What Would Change If We Listened?
Imagine if we actually listened to understand. What if, instead of listening with the intention of responding, we paused and really took in what someone was saying? What if we slowed down, considered our response before speaking, and let go of our need to react instantly? If we did this, our interactions would change, and our relationships with kids, spouses, friends, and colleagues would be transformed. In fact, we’d stand out in a world that thrives on noise, quick opinions, and instant reactions.
But I think James’ words go even deeper than how we interact with others. I believe he’s also speaking to how we interact with God. The way we respond to people is often a reflection of how we respond to the divine. So, when we face trials, do we quickly jump to conclusions about God’s goodness, or do we wait patiently for His direction? When temptation strikes, do we allow frustration or anger to take over, or do we trust God’s timing and wisdom? And when we come face to face with the truths of Scripture, are we quick to make excuses, argue, or defend our own way of thinking? Or do we come with a willingness to hear, learn, and obey?
Wrestling with Scripture
Let’s be real for a moment—it’s okay to wrestle with Scripture. Asking questions, seeking clarity, and making sure we understand what God is saying are all healthy, wise practices. But there’s a danger when we approach the Bible with an agenda, looking only for what we want it to say, rather than letting the Word speak for itself. If we try to twist or bend Scripture to match our own ideas or preferences, we’re not following Yahweh—we’re following a version of god that we’ve created.
This version may feel comfortable, but it won’t have the power to transform, rescue, or sustain us. Because here’s the truth: that version of god doesn’t exist. It’s simply an idol we’ve made in our own image.
James challenges us to examine how we receive God’s truth. He writes: “Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word” (James 1:21). In other words, we need to strip away the baggage of sin, pride, and worldly thinking that clouds our view. Is there anything in our thinking that hinders our ability to truly understand the truth? Are there roadblocks in the way that culture has placed between us and God’s Word?
It’s easy to let the pressures of culture dictate how we interpret Scripture, instead of letting Scripture shape and impact the culture around us. Our sin will always put us at odds with God’s Word. So, we must take a posture of humility—a posture of readiness, empty palms, and an open heart, eager to hear and respond to God’s truth. When we approach Scripture with a heart that expects to hear from God and a willingness to obey, something incredible happens.
A Heart Ready to Receive
I love how John Mark Comer puts it in his book, God Has a Name:
“Yahweh might not look exactly how we want him to look, at least not at first. But as we begin to see his character, as his beauty starts to come into focus, we realize that who he is, is so much better than who we wanted him to be.”
That’s the beauty of responding to God with a posture that’s quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. When we approach Him humbly, with a heart ready to receive His Word, we begin to see His character more clearly. The things we once wanted or thought we understood begin to fall away, and we see that who God is—His holiness, His love, His justice—is far greater and more beautiful than we could ever have imagined.
Responding to Trials, Temptation, and Truth
So how are we responding to trials? To temptation? To the truth of God’s Word? James is calling us to take a posture that’s quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. A posture that trusts God to work in us and through us. A posture that submits to the authority of truth and to the Word of God, understanding that He is God, and we are not.
There’s incredible freedom in this posture—the freedom to let go of our own control, our own way of doing things, and to trust that God knows what He’s doing. When we surrender our need to be right, when we submit to the truth that God is good and His ways are higher than our own, we experience true transformation.
Conclusion
As we approach Scripture and life, let’s remember to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Let’s listen not just to respond, but to understand. Let’s receive God’s truth with meekness and humility, allowing it to shape us and transform our hearts. And let’s trust that in doing so, we’ll become more like the God we seek to know, and that’s a journey worth taking.
ESV Study Bible. (2010). Crossway Books.
Comer, J. M. (2024). God has a name: What You Believe about God Will Shape Who You Become.
From Talk Scripture: Listen in Humility | James 1:19-21
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-in-humility-james-1-19-21/id1786264764?i=1000688842849
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