” In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” -{James 1:18-25}
The Book of James speaks of tests of genuine saving faith and our responses which reflect true salvation by the responses. There is the test of Trials, temptations and genuine faith’s response to them. Now we come to the Test of His Word and our attitude to it.
His Word is powerful enough that saves -{v18}
The RESPONSE to His Word is to
“Be Quick to Hear” – It is a command. It means to be eager to hear whenever you can, put yourself in the place where you can hear God’s Word.
“Slow to Speak.” – It is a command. Don’t be in a hurry to be a teacher for there is a great responsibility and accountability. And if you are not prepared then don’t put yourself in the place as God’s mouthpiece.
“Slow to Anger”– Is speaking of upon hearing His Word and not liking what you hear because you disagree or it convicts you of sin and resisting the Word and being resentful persistently towards Him, it or those who share it with you. The word for “anger” as used here is not the momentary explosion but the deep seated hidden anger that is full of resentment,. This is they type of anger that only you and God know about. But know this is an impediment to the life that pleases God, the life of righteousness. And this anger blocks out the life God desires for you to live. -{v21}
“RECEIVE…” “dechomia”-{Accept,Welcome} refers to taken something into one’s grasp. To be receptive to someone,-{Read Matt 10:14,40}. To have a favorable attitude towards something. – {Read Matt 11:14}.
HOW To “RECEIVE ” The Word.
With…
1.PURITY – “Putting aside all filthiness.” “Putting aside.” “apotithemi.” It was used literally of runners who participate and ran in the Olympic games who too of their clothing off and ran almost naked in the stadium. “apotithemi” is used nine times in the New Testament which speaks of laying aside,putting aside, and mostly is used in an ethical sense of divesting themselves of some undesirable attitude or action . Throw it away, lay it aside, get rid of it. Putting it aside in a definite action! Put known sin aside in order to receive the Word.
Figuratively apotithemi, means to cease doing something as is pictured by throwing it off and being done with it!
LAY ASIDE, PUT AWAY, THROW OFF…
A. -“Filthiness” -“Rhuparia” literally means dirt or filth. Used to describe dirty garments. James uses it here metaphorically of moral uncleanness or impurity.”Rhuparia,” is a derivative of ” rhupos ” which medically spoke of “wax in the ear.” When wax builds up in the ear it can make it hard to hear and even deafen and needs to be cleaned out. I had a friend who suffered for years and when a Dr cleaned out his wax he could hear easier and better, and indeed he stopped speaking loud when he spoke! James is saying clear out everything that hinders you from hearing God’s Word clearly! Take care of the sin , remove, throw it away by confessing, repenting and returning to the LORD to receive His Word. Those who hear the Word but continue to harden their hearts towards it set their eternal destiny! -{Read Rev 22:11}. Sin blocks the reception of God’s WORD. The Word needs good soil to grow in.
B.- “Wickedness“- {Kakia} speaks of depravity, meanness… “Malice” which speaks of the wicked desires to see others hurt and then be glad about it.
2. HUMILITY – or Gentleness.– Refers to a teachable spirit.It is without resentment, anger, and is teachable even when what one hears hurts, convicts. The word was used of a wild horse that was tamed and spoke of power under control. So to be under the Divine authority of the LORD. “When you receive the Word with meekness, you accept it, do not argue with it, and honor it as the Word of God. You do not try to twist it to conform it to your thinking. “(Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
3. OBEDIENCE – “DOERS”– “Prove yourselves to be Doers of His Word.” It is good to hear clearly but hearing is not the end but a means to the end which is to become “doers” and practice continually as a life style of doers of God’s Word.
Receive His WORD with
eagerness, purity, humility,
and be a doer!
“IMPLANTED”– God is the one who implants His Word in us. How wonderful!
“TO SAVE”-{Sozo} has the meaning of rescuing from great danger! His Word is able to save us from the dangers of consequences of sin. This is the processing work of sanctification, in bringing about change within us and delivering us from the dangers as believers we still face in this world, to enable us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus and His will and ways. His Word brings about change, it protects us, gives us insight and delivers us from the things that seek to dampen our enthusiasm for God and His WORD.