THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK

Handling Conflict James 1:19-20 July 1-5, 2013 Monday Read James 1:16, 1:19, James 2:1, 2:5 and James 5:19 James often drives home the main points of what he is teaching by adding the phrase my dear brothers and sisters. What does this phrase show you about the relationship he had with the recipients of his letter? How does understanding James approach impact the approach we should take to teach or admonish someone spiritually? Tuesday Read James 1:19 James exhorts his readers to be quick to listen. Being quick to listen is a principle found also in Proverbs 17:27. The quick tempered person in James 1 and Proverbs 17 is the one who is likely to speak without careful consideration. What damage can be caused by not being quick to listen? How have you been hurt by someone not being quick to listen? Wednesday Read James 1:19 James exhorts his readers to be slow to speak. Apparently the people to whom James was writing to had issues with their tongue. Notice all the references to the tongue in the following verses: James 1:26, 3:1-12; 4:1-3; 4:11-12; 5:12. Why do we struggle to control our tongue? What common themes do you see emerging from the passages listed above? Thursday Read James 1:19 James exhorts his readers to be slow to anger. The emotion of anger is the source of many hasty and unwise speech. Emotions are the product of the entire person; and, by Gods grace and the work the Holy Spirit, the person can be transformed to express emotions in line with Gods word and purpose. What emotional reactions have you had that need to be transformed by God? What is your strategy for being quick to listen? What is your strategy for being slow to speak? What is your strategy for being slow to anger? Friday Read James 1:20 James is crystal clear human anger does not produce righteousness. Righteousness means that one does what God requires of His people (see Matthew 5:20 and also Matthew 5:6, 5:10, 6:33). Have you lashed out in anger against someone recently? Have you been quick to spread gossip about someone who angered you? Does someone else anger you because of what they say? Spend some time praying for God to remove anger inside of you and replace it with righteousness.