By[19] “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; [20] for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” — James 1:19 - 20 NKJV
As children of the light, God created us in Christ to walk in good works (see Ephesians 2:10), which is the central pathway to administering God’s righteousness (divine benevolence) to many others. So everything we do in life must be good and good alone, without any trace of evil. However, there’s one thing that threatens us from living this reality. It’s called human anger.
James 1:20 tells us that “… the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” When I first read this scripture, I asked myself, “Aren’t we God’s righteousness in Christ?” (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Yes, we are. So if that’s true, why should our actions produce God’s righteousness? There’s a link there. Let’s see it.
What do people do when they get angry? Don’t they talk harshly against others? Yes!
Preceding James 1:20, that is James 1:19, it’s written that “… let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
The quickest way to manage anger from blowing out is by being slow in your speech.
From this, the quickest way to manage anger from blowing out is by being slow in your speech. But the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45). So behind every angry person’s words is an offended heart. But Christ dwells in our hearts. Hence, harbouring offences in it to the point that they affect your actions would make you live a contradictory life. That’s why the wrath of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
I can’t minister grace to your life by merely saying, “Control your anger.” Go beyond that to check the root. Live offence-free at heart, applying wisdom and understanding to how people talk; so that you’d be able to give proper answers to them.
Prayer:
Father, help me place my heart in check. Remove every offence I’ve directly or indirectly harboured in it; so I can live in peace with everyone as much as possible. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 239
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