WEEKLY WORD

Continuing Thought for the WEEK – [5.13.21]

James 1:19-20: 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.

CONTINUING THOUGHT for the Week:

Yesterday we talked about how the 3 admonishments is James chapter 1 are somewhat connected. Today I want to primarily deal with the last admonishment: be slow to become angry. Anger solves very little. As a matter of fact, in most cases anger probably makes things worse. And, James tells us as much when he finishes the passage by saying, “Be slow to become angry, because human anger doesn’t produce the righteousness that God desires.” In other words, me getting angry usually doesn’t make things better or set the record straight or make things right, in most cases it just makes things worse. In light of these thoughts- here’s an acronym that Rick Warren uses in regard to thinking before you speak, especially when you are angry:

Use the acronym T.H.I.N.K. to remember these five important questions to ask before you react in anger.

• T: Is it truthful? Is what I’m about to say the truth?
• H: Is it helpful? Or will it simply harm the other person?
• I: Is it inspirational? Does it build up, or does it tear down?
• N: Is it necessary? If it’s not necessary, why do I need to say it?
• K: Is it kind? Will it encourage or discourage?

Scriptures to reflect upon: 

• Proverbs 14:29: “Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness”(NCV).
• Proverbs 15:28: “Good people think before they answer. Evil people have a quick reply, but it causes trouble”(GNT).
• Proverbs 15:18: “Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments” (CEV).

MAIN THOUGHT for the Week:

• The words silent and listen are spelled with the same letters, just in a different order.
• It is difficult to hear what someone else is saying when you are talking!
• You can be silent and not listen and you can talk without thinking!
• You can’t take back what you have said- after it has been spoken!