Mature Faith Accepts God’s Word

In Redeeming How We Talk, Ken Wytsma and A. J. Swoboda write: “Next to prayer, listening is perhaps the best way to create a positive context for conversation. Listening forces us to exchange hats with others, to walk in their shoes. When we exchange hats, we develop empathy and understanding. Then we can more tenderly voice our concerns or offer our advice.”

No wonder James exhorted us to be “quick to listen” (v. 19)! This admonition draws on the tradition of wisdom literature (see, for example, Prov. 10:19). In this context, several questions are also implied by today’s reading: What is appropriate behavior for those of us who have received God’s good and perfect gift of salvation? Exactly how can we endure trials and troubles in order to grow to mature faith?

To be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” is the beginning of James’ answer, which extends over most of the rest of the book. To listen more than to speak demonstrates self-control, as opposed to hasty words and actions that characterize ungodly anger. That behavior does not “produce the righteousness that God desires” (v. 20). Listening and self-control are part of godly perseverance and lead toward the righteousness and spiritual maturity that God desires.

The principle here is to “get rid of all moral filth”—including rash words and unrighteous anger—and instead to “humbly accept the word planted in you” (v. 21). Doing so will be countercultural, for evil is “prevalent” in the world. This will require humility or meekness. The verb “accept” enlists our wills and actions while keeping God’s will and actions primary. He, not us, did the planting and He, not us, is the One who accomplishes our salvation.

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BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He is the author of On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.