The Book of James Chapter 1
Controlling Anger The Life Application Bible version reads like this: “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” In chapter 1 verses 20 and 21 it speaks of anger that erupts when our ego is bruised: “I am hurt;” “My opinions are not being heard.” When injustice and sin occur, we should become angry because others are being hurt also.” However, we should not become angry when we fail to win an argument or when we feel offended or neglected. Selfish anger never helps anybody.” By the term “filthiness”, James is referring to people covered in something disgustingly smelly that they need to wash off. The term “superfluity of naughtiness” means “prevalent evil”; it is a picture of overgrown weeds that need to be cut back so that “righteousness can flourish”. We are to cultivate the Word, and the Word of truth that God has given us as new believers into the body of Christ. Just as in the parable of the Sower, the Word is like a ‘seed’ that Christians have received. Anyone can however, receive this ‘seed’ as they submit to hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Reframe from being arrogant because it impedes the growth of the gospel ‘seed’ that is implanted in our lives. Instead, live in ‘meekness’ which is the opposite of arrogance.
Hearing God’s Word
James turns to a more spiritual matter; that of being doers of the Word and not just hearers. This means understanding the difference between listening and hearing, which have two different meanings. We are commanded to obey the word of God; this requires ‘action’ by doing. We understand this only when we are ‘listening’ to the word of God. Otherwise, we are only fooling ourselves if we believe otherwise. James says it’s like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and immediately forget what you look like. What does this mean? “We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes.” The word ‘Law’ is synonymous with ‘Word’, and is described as perfect and as giving liberty. It is that part of the word of truth that God has planted in believers. The ‘law’ or ‘word’ is perfect because it is the eternal gift of God (1:17). It changes people lives at their core, and releases them to live out God’s desires ‘naturally’.
Controlling Speech
James compares taming the tongue with being religious. He connects this virtue of speech control to the genuiness of one’s religious experience—and then to the validity of the religion one claims to be true. It is said that no matter how spiritual we may think we are, we all could control our speech more effectively. When we fail to control our tongue, we show the world that Christianity has no power to change people for the better. We are however, suppose to let God’s implanted word blossom into things like honesty, genuiness, and edification. Every true believe WILL change, both their attitudes, thoughts, and their TONGUE. Amen.