Day 32 - GRACE BUSTERS - Failure to Listen 

James 1:19-21

PAUSE –
Take a deep breath, offer this time and your focus to the Lord with the Psalmist

      May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. 
                                                      Psalm 19:14

REJOICE in his goodness with Psalm 19:1-4a

      The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

      Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

      They have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

      Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

So Much Noise… Constant Information… Podcasts, Social media posts, Impulsive reactionary responses. 

Let’s be honest, no matter what your perspective is on an issue, certain posts, reports, and messages can get us stirred up.  We want to strike back and set the record straight. Somebody needs to put people in their proper place. I can think of many times in my life when my quick, sharp tongue has caused harm. Often to those I care deeply about.  Sometimes to those I was not even aware were listening. I can only pray that my tongue has never caused harm to the Kingdom, but I’m not sure. I think our phones, our computer screens, possibly our pulpits should have today’s text (James 1:19-21) in bold print as a covering to force us to stop and pray and listen before we speak. 

READ SLOWLY AND REFLECT on our text for today from James 1:19-21

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.

Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Doesn’t it feel great to be listened to?  Everyone wants to be heard. But what if I disagree? What if there is heresy? What if their moral perspective is wrong? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how often I speak first and then catch myself and pause to seek to hear what others are saying.  Listening is an incredible gift of grace. Allow that to really soak in.  Listening is an incredible gift of grace.  It’s generosity. 

The writer of James is addressing the attitude of what is spoken as much as the content of the spoken word. When I’m speaking, am I angry? Judgmental? Prideful? Am I sensitive to how these words might harm those just outside of earshot?   Quick to listen, slow to speak - practical grace.

I remember sitting with a group of guys at a table in our high school cafeteria as we discussed the events that happened in our science class earlier that day.  A girl from that science class happened to be sitting adjacent to our table with her back to us.  One of the guys proceeded to blurt out a quote from this student, not realizing she was sitting right behind him. “_____ is so stupid!” he said loud enough for her to hear. She never turned around to look, but we all felt the sting of that moment since she clearly had to have heard it.  I have often wondered how long those words clamored around in her mind.  How many times did she replay it over the days and weeks to follow? The guy who said it never intended for her to hear it. Nor to hurt her. 

In recent years I have read some posts of my friends on social media and cringed as I considered the unkind, accusing, judging statements directed toward other friends of mine. And I wonder how long those words hung in the minds of those friends, and if they replayed over and over the accusations, the callous and unkind judgments.  Words lacking grace. Often attempting a creative jab at some group or political issue. Words read by others, bringing shame and embarrassment to both reader and writer. Silence is so often a gift of grace.

REREAD AND REFLECT again on the passage for today.  

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.                James 1:19-21

Was the writer of James really suggesting that angry (unkind) speech - unfiltered words (whether spoken or written) are moral filth?  If we read the text all the way through to the end of this thought in verse 27 it would appear this is what the writer is saying. The first step to becoming a good listener is silence. Ask questions. Invite others to share their story. Then listen without critique or comment. The Book “Will You See Me?”is a wonderful example of listening.

Perhaps the sequel will be “Will You Hear Me?”.

… If anyone considers themself religious but does not keep a tight rein on their tongue, they deceive themself and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  James 1:26-27

ASK -
Lord, what am I not hearing? Who am I unwittingly (or intentionally) not listening to? Who are the marginalized, the ones in distress that I can’t hear over the sound of my own voice? Lord, would you awaken me to the voices I need to hear? Your words that I am not heeding?

YIELD -
Lord, this is a hard word in a culture of mass information. Reveal to me the sources I should stop listening to.  Reveal those around me who need someone to listen to them. Help me to hear the cries of the distressed ones. Forgive my quick and prideful tongue. 

I’m praying the words of an old Scottish hymn today: 

May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day.

By His love and power controlling all I do and say. 

May the word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph only through His power.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea, 

Him exalting, self-abasing, this is victory.

May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,

And may they forget the channel, seeing only him. 

May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything 

That I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing

You may choose to pray this hymn by singing along.