Verse of the Day for August 30

Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. One swift and two slows. James is giving us a ratio.

Evenings test it. You come home tired, the house is loud, someone asks a question for the third time. Speaking is fast. Anger is faster. Hearing has quietly gone to sleep.

Notice the word that opens verse 19: Wherefore. It points back to verse 18, where God begat us with the word of truth. We were born by a word God spoke. People made by his patient word are being shaped to listen and be patient too.

Then James is honest about anger: the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Our anger often feels righteous. We are defending what is right. But it does not produce the right thing. It produces more anger, and children who learn to shout.

Tonight, at the dinner table or in the car home, try the ratio. Listen to the end of the sentence before you answer. Let one irritation pass without comment. Speaking slowly will not feel heroic, but it may be the most godly thing you do all day.

A tired evening is where the ratio of James is tested most.

You were made by a word spoken in patience.