So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20  for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  (James 1:19,20) 

 Most of us can remember those times that we got angry and said something we later regretted.  James in encouraging us to listen and be slow to speak was telling us that our anger often results in saying hurtful words to another.  Therefore, anger can bring about harm, both to those we react to in a harmful way as well as to ourselves.  James tells us in verse 20 that our wrath or anger does not produce the righteous life that God desires. 

Anger must be controlled if we desire to live righteously.  Paul wrote "Be angry, and do not sin…”  (Eph 4:26)  Anger itself is not a sin but certainly the result of uncontrolled anger or wrath is.  What can we do when that anger occurs - LISTEN.  Be slow to react or say anything before we think of what we are saying.  Being slow and hesitating before we speak also gives us an opportunity to say a prayer to ask God’s help.  This is the righteous life that God desires.  Our Lord is the great example of this, when Christ was arrested, brought before Caiaphas the high priest and accused by false witnesses the scripture says Christ remained silent.   This is a wonderful example, even if the words spoken by another hurt, we need to be slow to speak and maybe even remain silent.  

 Solomon wrote, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Prov. 25:11) Historians tell us that at Solomon’s banquets the dinner settings would be an apple made of pure gold that was a present for the guest to keep.  Let us always be slow to react that our words will impart grace to those who hear and be as precious as an apple of pure gold.  

Grace and peace, Bill Holt