I am hopeful that our study yesterday has you thinking about obedience in a brand new light. You may even be wondering how to kick your obedience into high gear.
Well, hang on because I believe the Book of James explains it clearly.
Read James 1:19-25. This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Reflect: What does it mean to seek the mind of God?
Reflect: How can you accomplish this?
In verses 19-20, James makes this statement: “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” He makes it clear later in the chapter that he is talking about being quick to hear God’s Word. In other words, the first question we need to ask in any situation is, “what does God say about this in His Word?”
The first step in obedience is to seek the mind of God.
Reflect: After you seek God’s Word regarding a situation, what does James say your response should be? (v. 19)
Reflect: How does anger hinder your obedience?
For His Kingdom,
Tony Evans
Prayer: Lord, help me to not settle for compliance but rather to diligently be obedient. Give me patience in humility so that I can be slow to anger. I ask for the mind of Christ so that I will be a doer of the word and not just a hearer. In Christ's name, Amen.
