"My New Checklist"

While God wants to live in our hearts, it is not simply by a list of what we have done; we must recognize that God gives us guidance, directions, and parameters. For example: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

My New Checklist

(James 1:19-21)

Introduction:

A.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Some of you went shopping over the last three days, many of you had a wonderful meal with family and friends and now we start the Christmas season.  One thing that seems to be true is that while shopping, family and decorating can be fun, they can also be very stressful.  James gives us a teaching that in times of stress are important to remember:  be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  These three teachings can help each of us to produce the righteousness of God in our lives and bring us to salvation.

B.  A young man once approached Socrates to ask if the philosopher would teach him the gift of oratory. His request was then followed by an incessant stream of words until, finally, Socrates placed his hand over the inquirer’s mouth and said, “Young man, I will have to charge you a double fee.”  When the fellow asked why, Socrates replied, “I will have to teach you two sciences. First, how to hold your tongue; and then, how to use it.”

C.  Every Christian who seeks to follow the will of God, seeks to grow more Christ-like every day.  It becomes a goal that might never be completely achieved, but is one for which the Christian will strive.  Catch phrases like “WWJD” can be helpful in guiding the Christian.  In fact, the very reason laws and commands were given was to give us the parameters we need to help in this new being we have become spiritually.

D.  Checklists then are an aid.  They help to change the mind and heart, to soften us.  The book of Proverbs is filled with these little checklists that help lead the young and old in ways of wisdom.  The last thing I desire is to simply be an educated idiot.  I want to take the wisdom given by God and apply it to my life so that in this life I will have greater joy and peace.  So don’t let today simply be a time of pop psychology, but instead allow it to be a time of God speaking to you about the parameters we need to become saved.

I.  Three Pieces of Advice

A.  Look at where James begins.  He tells his readers to “take note” of what he is saying.  Here is something you need to understand, you need to remember.  The reason why is not because what James says is new or complicated, but because the simple truth is that these three teachings can change lives.

B.  The first teaching is for “everyone to be quick to listen.”  The expression here is not given in the broad generic term of “all people” but in the singular idea “each individual.”  James is trying to make this personal.  You, forget everyone else and there actions for a moment, you be quick to listen.  It begs the question of what are we to be quick to listen to?  James has given us that answer.  It is the implanted word of truth.  Both verse 18 and 22 give us that answer.  Listen, not to gossip or unfruitful teachings, but listen to the word of truth.  Listen to God.  While you can listen to preachers, teachers, Christian music, or many good things, all are not as important as paying attention to teachings given to us by God in the Bible.  Listen.

C.  The second teaching concerns speaking.  While we are to be quick to listen we need to be slow to speak.  The warning is against be too ready and too eager to say something.  It is not about being silent, but about being attentive to what you hear and then respond with the right words.  Prov 29:20 says, “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”  That’s strong.  Listen first, think before you speak second.

D.  The third teaching has a little more said about it.  It begins by James telling us to be slow to anger, much like he told us to be slow to speak.  But James tells us why.  Man’s anger (not righteous anger) does not bring about what God desires.  The idea seems to be that if you can’t control you tongue, you can’t control your anger.  We all know the effects of someone else’s anger.  Three proverbs say that it is better to live in corner of a house or out in the wilderness than it is to live with an angry wife.  No one want to be around someone who is quick to get angry.  People don’t want to “walk on eggshells” just to be around you.  Sooner or later they simply quit the relationship.  Man’s anger does nothing but destroys.  When people get angry they do not do the good God wants them to do.

II.  Three Step Program

A.  There are many 12 Step programs to help addicts recover from their addictions that have destroyed lives.  James gives a three step program to help us become quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.

B.  The first step is to recognize that you are dirty to begin with.  The first step in any 12 Step program is to recognize the problem and understand that it that you are powerless over it when you are in it.  That is true of our anger, our moral filth, and the sin that so easily entangles us.  When my tongue and anger has taken over my hearing of God I have problem.  So what do I do?

C.  The second step is to get rid of all the filth and wickedness.  The idea in the Greek behind the phrase “get rid of” is that of taking of dirty clothes and laying them aside.  I am sure there have been times in your life when you just wanted to take off your wet or dirty clothes, get washed up and redress in clean clothes.  That is idea James is expressing.  Any moral deficit, anything that makes a person unclean is unacceptable to God.  You know the kind of things James is talking about.  Paul begins to make lists in Eph 4:31, where he says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”  How many times have you faced your greatest sin and prayed for God to just get rid of it?  Sometimes I wonder why God take it away from me.  But what I have learned is that I need to put it to death in order for me to grow.  Isn’t that exactly what Paul means in Col. 3:5-10?

D.  How do I put these things to death?  How do I get rid of and take them off?  It is not just in stopping the sin or getting rid of the problem, it by putting on something new in its place.  The third step James gives is to “humbly accept the word planted in you.”  You put away the filth and receive with meekness the implanted word.  It is the idea of starving and feeding.  Be humble, and accept the message God has given you.  It is great to be saved.  It is wonderful to wake up with inner peace knowing I am a child of God.  The sin was fun, but it brought fear, pain and destruction.  But when God speaks to you, implants you with his message, you live in freedom and joy.  Is that where you are today?  Are you living in the freedom and joy of salvation?  Follow the steps James gives and accept with joy God’s grace for your life.