Quick to Hear and Slow to Speak

“This you know my beloved brethren, but let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1:19

Have you ever said something in haste or in anger that you regretted as soon as the words were out of your mouth? I have to confess that this is an area where I occasionally need work. I am all too often slow to hear (if I even hear at all), much too quick to speak my mind and even quicker to anger. I do recognize that most usually these reactions are due to pride and self righteousness and I them must ask forgiveness for acting in self-defense or just reacting when I should be quiet. That is when I also recognize the need to grow in grace and ask God to bring me to the place where I am able to hear with understanding and control my tongue and my temper so that He will always be glorified in me.

I’m afraid that I am very guilty of overreacting or acting offensively in the name of self-defense or even in what I would often like to think is in His defense. What I have discovered is that self-righteousness, particularly when it comes to anger, and His righteousness just doesn’t mix.