Slow To Wrath
A. THE INTENT OF THE WORD IS TO EFFECT OUR BEHAVIOR.
B. IN OUR TEXT JAMES DIRECTS US AWAY FROM THE TEMPTATION
WE HAVE TO UNCONTROLLED ANGER.
1. In vs. 19-20 we find a trio of commands: a. "swift to hear" b. "slow to speak"
c. "slow to wrath."
2. This is seen in connection of his description of pure religion (vs. 26-27).
3. These admonitions are given in regards to our reception of the Word (vs. 18, 21).
C. WE NEED TO HUMBLY BE RECEPTIVE TO WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS.
A. ANGER, WRATH, orge, originally any "natural impulse, or desire, or disposition,"
came to signify "anger," as the strongest of all passions.( Vine's).
B. THE O T (Pro. 14:17; 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 19:19)
C. THE N T ALSO SAYS MUCH AGAINST ANGER AND WRATH (Rom. 12:19)
1. It is included with the "works of the flesh" in Gal. 5:19-21.
2 To the Ephesians Paul writes (Eph. 4:31), and the Colossians (Col. 3:8).
D. THERE IS A PLACE FOR ANGER (Eph. 4:26).
parorgismos, “indignation, exasperation, wrath” (Thayer)
1. Jesus was angry (John 2:13-17; Matt. 23:13-36).
2. God is a God of anger as well as of love (Psa. 78:49-51; vs. 58-61; Rom. 1:18).
E. IN OUR ANGER WE MUST REFRAIN FROM SIN (Eph. 4:26).
1. Our anger must have just cause (Matt. 5:22; 7:1-4).
2. It must be restrained (1 Cor. 9:25) … “slow to wrath…” (Jas. 1:19).
3. It must not produce sinful behavior (Phil. 2:3; Rom. 12:19, 21).
4. It must not be allowed to fester (Eph. 4:26-27).
F. MAN’S ANGER FRUSTRATES GOD’S PURPOSE IN US (James 1:20).
1. God’s desire is that we should be at peace (Rom. 12:18).
2. We are to imitate Jesus and “walk in love” (Eph. 5:1-2).
A. FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS (vs. 21)..
1. God’s power to save is in the message (Rom. 1:16-17). “…therein is revealed …”
2. God’s plan (1 Cor. 1:21). “… foolishness of preaching …”
3. A revelation of God’s will for us (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
B. RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS (vs. 21).
1. There are things we must lay aside (vs. 21a).
2. Meekness involves humbling oneself to obey (Phil. 2:5-8).
C. BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD (vs. 22).
1. The purpose of the law is to do (Matt. 7:21, 24-27).
2. It is delusion to think the word is beneficial without obedience (vs. 22; Rom. 2:13).
3. Useless to look into a mirror if image is not recalled (James 1:23-25).
4. The perfect law (2 Tim. 3:16-17), of LIBERTY (John 8:32).
A. APPLICATION HAS TO BE MADE (vs. 26)
1. Goes back to verses 19-20.
2. Exhort and reprove with all authority (Titus 2:15).
B. RELIGION - the adjective here refers to a zealous and diligent performance of religious
services (Vincent's Word Studies).
1. To be pure, it must contrast with mere outward form (Matt. 15:8-9).
2. Pure religion cannot be practiced by those who participated in sin.
C. OUR RELIGIOUS SERVICE MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY DOING GOOD
(Heb. 13:15-16).
1. Our text says to visit the fatherless and widows.
2. Paul says “all men” (Gal. 6:10).
D. WE MUST REMAIN UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD (vs. 27).
1. Worldly aspirations must not crowd out the heavenly (1 John 2:15).
2. We are not to follow the trends that pertain to the world (Rom. 12:2).
3. Worldly lusts war against the soul (1 Pet. 2:11-12; 2 Cor. 7:1).
A. GOD HAS CERTAIN EXPECTAIONS OF US IN OUR RELIGION.
B. THOSE EXPECTATIONS ARE REVEALED IN THE BIBLE.
C. WE NEED TO ACT UPON THEM – LIVE CONSISTENTLY
WITH WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED.
