.jpg)
I know, I know... behind again... but in my defense, the sermon wasn't on the website by Monday afternoon like it has been in the past. I honestly haven't even checked for this week's, so I'll be playing "doubles" next week. So on to the "meat" of the post -- (was this the appetizer??) ;p
We all struggle (or have struggled) to control our tongues at some point. I flat-out guarantee it. Simply for the fact that we're humans. As any of you know who've actually read any of my prior summaries on here, I'm completely transparent with my readers. I've struggled sooooo much over the past couple of years in particular with keeping my tongue. And mostly losing. There's just so much out there to set people straight on. And I know that applies no matter where your opinions lie. (whether political or religious) In all honesty, it either befuddles or amuses me to see posts about "truth" by friends who I know don't share my views. Not "viewpoint specific" posts, just the generic ones, you know what I mean... In any case, it can be really hard to keep quiet when there are such important conversations out there. I've settled down by quite a bit, but pray for loving balance among believers as that is where the true answers lie. And that's for sharing our views as well as for the views themselves. (now there's a generic stance for you!!) LOL Seriously though, we all need to find balance with God and man.
Pastor Matt led off with a side-story (really more of a comment) for this message. He and his family live in a quiet town next to our city, and one nearby neighbor of theirs apparently has a great appreciation and budget for tires. There are stacks of them around the property and skid marks abound in the street. He mentioned this because the message is one that could easily leave "skid marks" on our hearts... let's see what he meant --
James 1:19-27
New International Version
Listening and Doing 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 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. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Yep... this is the passage, so we might as well "dig in" and get it over with --
After the opening comment, Pastor Matt reminded us all of the context in which James was written. Regardless of which James actually wrote it*, we do know that it was still early days for the people of The Way, or Christ followers. There was persecution from various directions, but none so fierce as from the Jewish Leadership. They felt betrayed by converts who left their fold for that of Jesus'. Punishments included everything from denouncement to stoning. Believers today see certain levels of persecution depending on where they live. The point lies in being the minority that is being focused on by those opposed to it.
It's always important to understand the full context of the Scripture* you're reading. Otherwise, you're putting your faith, and potentially the faith of others at risk by misunderstandings and/or misinterpretations. Without context, Scripture is easily reduced to a system of "sin management" or "moralistic behavior modification". Neither one of which reaches people's hearts, which is where the true problems lie. The fact is, the Church is at it's most powerful and potent when it is a force of subversion rather than overt power-grabbing. Notice how many of Jesus' references to The Kingdom refer to small pieces like the mustard seed or the yeast for the bread. It's also helpful to remember that Jesus doesn't just save us from sin, but what He's really doing is saving us to an abundant life in Him.
The book of James was written to a wide audience of people because the Jewish believers, and probably others, had spread across the known world of the day in order to escape the persecution mentioned above. As Pastor Matt phrased it, he basically wrote an email that was "reply to all". His message was based on how to live out The Way of Christ in everyday life. This passage focuses on our words and how they are shaped by our obedience to God.
It is a natural human instinct to use our words to control the world around us. It makes us feel powerful to influence others to our will when so much is either out of our control or feels that way. Some other ways we use words may include the following --
Leverage -- we may feel a measure of control/power if we have information someone wants/needs and can manipulate them by how or if we share it (mass media)
Defense -- we feel a need to justify ourselves in word or deeds (revenge, etc...)
Sarcasm -- we may be judgmental and seek to cover it with humor (guilty as charged)*
Silent Treatment -- even a lack of words can be harmful when used to control others (guilty again)*
As stated above, how we live our lives as followers of the Crucified Christ* shapes our hearts, and therefore our words. As pressures mount and trials come, what's inside us will spill out. This is why it's so critical to maintenance our Christian walk. (yes, I'm talking to myself as well)
The fact is, the natural human impulse to react to the world around us simply doesn't supply the results we really want. If anything, they actually undermine our goals because we are expecting them to do the work for us out of anger rather than looking to the sources of that anger and dealing with them properly. As mentioned in a message a couple of weeks ago, Americans, in particular, are not skilled at managing our emotions effectively. We are uncomfortable with fear, sadness, betrayal, etc... and so it feels easier to just lash out. What to do, what to do...?? Look at James 1:19 for the answers --
Be quick to listen -- Now be careful to understand this properly!! Don't listen for the purpose of reacting! Don't use it as an opportunity to trap or quiz the person. If you need to ask questions to clarify or expand the information, then that's fine. The point lies in several areas -- vulnerability, loving interaction, not always "knowing we're right"*, settling down and being quiet, and the most important thing that will put the others in place is this -- God's work is the important thing. Another thing you've noticed if you've been around my blog much, is that a major theme in my Church is the fact that God is always present and at work in our lives. We know from John 6:44 that He only calls certain people*. This is key to remembering that God was already involved in our conversation before we got there. Keeping that in mind will keep our hearts right.
Slow to speak -- "slow is the new quick" (Pastor Matt's phrase, not mine) If our "quick to listen" ears are on, then our tongues will be better equipped to respond rather than react. (my thought, not Pastor Matt's) :D
Slow to anger -- Righteous anger has it's place, as does natural anger, but we need to be careful how and where to apply them. Once again, making sure that our natural anger is properly diffused through acting effectively on the source.
Okay, so now that we know the what, we need to look at the how -- next verses, please...
Verses 21-25 show us the way forward by reminding us to receive the Word in humility and then acting on it consistently so we don't forget who we are*. Like people headed out for a party, we need to "check our look in the mirror" and make sure everything is in order. Of course, in this case, our "mirror" is Jesus. Humility is incredibly important to the Christian life, and actually, is the entire basis for it. Without humility, we wouldn't see a need to follow Jesus at all. And that is one of the two possible scenarios of pride that Pastor Matt mentioned --
Making the Bible "conform" to our beliefs/values -- Otherwise known as, "cherry-picking", this is a very wrong and dangerous practice. If we try to make the Bible "answer our quiz", we will miss out on the bigger picture God has painted for us.
Having a "nevermind" attitude -- These people either think they have morality "wrapped up" for themselves because they're basically decent people; or they seek to "push the Bible aside" because it's too confusing. This is prideful and displays hubris.
The truth is, a humble attitude will open our hearts to new perspectives on the Bible over time. If you're not learning anything new, pray for God to reveal your heart or a new direction for worship.* In any case, consistent obedience is key to maintaining our walk. Spiritual growth subverts selfishness and results in a growing faith.
Finally, verses 26-27 provide us first with a reminder that our self-righteousness is worthless and shows us what God truly desires from us. In this part of the message, Pastor Matt pointed out that the Apostle Peter's brashness and temper were Jesus' example of the harshness of the World. (Matt. 16:23)
The pure and faultless religion Jesus desires from us is borne of love and service to those who are marginalized in any given society. The widows and orphans referenced in verse 27 are a prime example of this in James' time and place. For us today, we could think of the homeless as a group in need of our love, humility, and servanthood. These are the reflections of Jesus in a World of division and unrest.
The first verses of James 1 speak of trials, and we have a tendency to think of those as being the most dangerous things in our lives, but the reality is that it the sin revealed in our responses to the trials that is far more dangerous. ...as indicated above, this is a message that may leave "skid marks" on our hearts. I know it has on mine... -- God Bless!!
Footnotes --
Evidence shows it may not have been Jesus' half brother. (see post from beginning of series for this)
If you've "hung around" here much (or irl) you know how much emphasis I put on this!!
I'm diagnosed as High Functioning PDD, which means sarcasm is basically a 2nd language to me (or is it a 1st?), as opposed to the "average PDD" person who has no concept of either sarcasm or allegory. I'm also an INFJ and a Cancer, so have fun getting me to not be "judgy" or emotional!!" I can't even describe the feelings of superior knowledge and Common Sense I have to discipline myself against on a daily basis. My strength lies on the Common Sense side of the scales, but my Private School background gives me an edge on academics. Talk about a struggle being real!! Seriously though, prayers are always appreciated.
I've used the silent-treatment as a measure of control more than once. The last time was to ensure that my BF at the time understood how important a certain level of attention was to me at a time he didn't give it.
"Crucified Christ" -- see first message in series
"knowing we're right" -- Yeppers...
"Remembering who we are" -- Lion King comes to mind here
"new direction for worship" it may be time to find a different Church if you're hearing the same messages in the same way over a long time.
No music this week. Choose what feels right to you.
Comments