Keep your Words to Yourself Part III

12 Feb Keep your Words to Yourself Part III

February 12, 2023

Keep your Words to Yourself Part III

Today we are going wrap up our short series on “Keep Your Words to Yourself.” Working from our foundational scripture James 1:19 AMP “Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]. James 1:19 AMP

The last part of the scripture is about anger it says …slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving].  I like the AMP version because it gives us a few words that should be our response to anger. 

It starts with the word patient meaning we are able to accept or tolerate things like problems, upset/difficult people. disappointments… without being annoyed or moved to retaliation in a negative way.   Proverbs 15:18 NIV “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” Colossians 3:12 NIV says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Our second word is Reflective looking back on your own actions. In Psalm 78 Asaph provides a history lesson for the next generation hoping they would not forget the past and be defeated. We have to remember our past too and the lessons we have learned and show mercy and extend grace.  James 2:13 NCV “So you must show mercy to others, or God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment. “

And lastly forgiving stop feeling/ holding on to anger let it go and move on. Look at  Ephesians 4:26-32 KJV Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil…

Everyone gets angry about something at times. It can happen over many things like someone not agreeing with our point of view, traffic, being disrespected at home/work, sporting events, long lines in the store… We all have triggers, but we must manage our anger as it can lead to problems if it goes unchecked.  

So when we find ourselves in heated situations let us remember what we have learned over the past three weeks; listen, choose our words wisely, Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated—it can only bring harm. Finally Look at every situation through the eyes of love.  💕

Theresa Woodard