RPG Adults
BE SWIFT BUT SLOW
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19
James 1:19-20
Ecclesiastes 5:2
“Be not rash with thy mouth,
and let not thine heart be hasty…”
BE SWIFT BUT SLOW
In a rat race, no one can slow down. Everyone competes to have an edge over the other. Some even step on others in order to elevate themselves. This is sadly the world that we are in. It is even sadder that many Christians are found in this arena. Are you one of them?
As God’s children, we have to heed what has been told to us by the Apostle James. God is the Father of lights, and there is no darkness in Him. This means that our sufferings are not meant by God to tempt us to do evil, but they are meant for our good. For us to be able to face trials and keep ourselves from sinning against God, we have to “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
Be swift to hear: The command is to hear swiftly. It must be quick, which means it must be done fast and immediately. One must listen to God, be it in reading God’s Word or hearing the message from a preacher. It must be prompt, as indicating a time without delay. There must also be the spirit of readiness with a prepared heart, not haphazardly but diligently.
Be slow to speak: The command to be “slow” is exactly opposite to “swift.” To be slow also means to give space and time before you react and speak. Read Ecclesiastes 5:2 and Proverbs 21:23.
Be slow to wrath: The slowness is also applied to wrath. What is wrath? It is a vigorous upsurge of one’s nature against someone. It is an emotion of anger and resentment, a natural impulse or propensity to express one’s temper. In other words, Christians must be able to control themselves from quick conclusions and reaction (Prov 14:29; Eccles 7:9).
It is better to stop, look, and listen before shouting and cursing. Dear reader, are you slow to hear, swift to speak and swift to wrath? May the Lord have mercy upon you that you may take heed to this warning!
THOUGHT: Am I “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”?
PRAYER: Father, create in me a discerning spirit to listen and a compassionate heart to speak and love others.