Me and My Big Mouth: Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak (James 1:19-21)

Series: Me and My Big Mouth

Sermon Title: Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Date: July 1, 2018

 

QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK

 

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Say this a lot to yourself this week: "Quick to listen, slow to speak."

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak...  (James 1:19a)

• How many of you know that some of your worst relationship moments are when you are quick to speak and slow to listen?
• "You can 'right' them right out of the relationship."  -Andy Stanley

...slow to wrath,...  (James 1:19b)

• This is easier if you will be slow to speak and quick to listen
• Anger, here in verse 19, could be said to be hasty, misinformed, relationally destructive conclusions.
• Everything everyone does, says and believes makes perfect sense to them.
• Habit 5: seek first to understand, then to be understood.  (From Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People")

...for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  (James 1:20)

• NIV: because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires

There are 3 agendas in conflict:

1. Your agenda
2. Their agenda
3. God's agenda

"You want to be right at each other and God wants you to be right with each other."  -Andy Stanley

As I have loved you, love each other.  (John 13:24)

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and reeive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  (James 1:21)

• Lay aside: take off the coat; take off the "I'm right" jacket

Humility says we are more important than me.

"People who were nothing like Jesus liked Jesus."  -Andy Stanley