"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
1. Do you find yourself talking more than listening? Do you interrupt others or think of what you're going to say instead of hearing what they are saying?
2. What sets off your temper? What is it about that situation or person that can get you so angry so fast?
3. Anger isn't wrong, but what we do with our anger can be wrong. Think of how you usually express your anger. Can you think of a way to express your anger that would be more godly?
4. Is God's word planted in you? Do you believe it can save you? Save you from what?
5. In what way have you deceived yourself? Have you listened to God's word and not obeyed? Think of a way you can "do what it says" this week.
We can't do what the Bible says if we don't know what it says. Pray for God to give you a desire to read the Bible, to help you understand what you read and to help you apply it.
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Wow! #1 sure is a tough one. Listening is so hard sometimes. I know that I especially am not a good listener to my kids. They are at that age where I already know what they are going to say or ask and I dismiss them before they even finish sometimes….then I find that habit spreading to my adult relationships. What a great thing to reflect on.
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I'm more of a listener than a talker. I'm quiet by nature, and listening comes pretty easily. Sometimes I do think about what I would like to say while someone is talking to me, though. In a heated argument, I often put myself first and want to make sure that I am heard and understood. While it's not a godly characteristic, I find in those situations it's often more important to me to be heard than to listen. Hopefully it will be awhile before I get the opportunity to practice at listening during a heated argument!
ReplyDeleteA situation that can get me angry quickly is when someone is unkind to my children. The "protective momma bear" becomes very angry when her children are mistreated. I used to keep all of my anger inside and would withdraw from hurtful people or situations, but I tend to me somewhat more confrontational now depending on the situation. I think taking time to put my own selfish desires aside and looking at the situation from the other person's point of view would help me respond in a more godly manner.
God's Word is planted in my heart, and when I take time to talk to Him about situations ~ He is always faithful to bring Christ-like ways, His Truth, to my mind to help me respond during hurtful and confusing situations. I believe God's Word can save me . . . from worldly ways and values, from self-destruction, from being led astray, from making situations worse than they have to be . . . from eternal separation from Him.
I often decieve myself when I decide that me and my way are more important than others and their issues. There have been many times throughout my life when I have heard God's Word and decided not to take the time and effort to follow-through in obedience . . . it never turns out well.