God Gave Us Two Ears and only One Mouth for a Reason - February 27, 2022

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

God Gave Us Two Ears and only One Mouth for a Reason
Text: James 1:19-20
Thesis: “For God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV 1983
1. James states, “Everyone should be quick to listen.” (Vs. 19a)
A. Sometimes our appearance as being a good listener may be deceptive.
1. Our silence may be due to our daydreaming or seeking an opportunity to speak.
B. Being a good listener may mean recognizing the person sharing with us doesn’t want us
telling them how to fix the problem.
C. Focused listening reveals we are truly interested in what the person has to say.
1. Putting down the cell phone will aid in focused listening.
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2. James also states, “Everyone should be slow to speak.” (Vs. 19b)
A. Being slow to speak means giving another person an opportunity to speak.
1. Conversation is at least a two-way street. A single exchange of words is a lecture not a
conversation.
B. Being slow to speak means choosing your words carefully.
C. Being slow to speak may mean saying nothing at all.
D. Being slow to speak may mean you have thought the situation through and have concluded
that you must speak the Truth in love.
3. James adds further wisdom by stating, “Everyone should be slow to
anger.” (Vs. 19b-20)
A. James makes it clear that uncontrolled anger can damage a Christian’s
personal life and the Kingdom of God.
1. Confess your sin to God and seek the Holy Spirits’ help.
B. Controlled anger is a healthy human emotion.
• The Apostle Paul states, “In your anger do not sin; do not let the sun go down while you are still
angry.”
• “For Man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:20b