The Message That Was Not Finished
Written for Bible Journey Plan. Our editorial standards.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
Noah saw the first line of a message from his friend and assumed he had been left out of a trip. He began typing an angry reply. Then the second message arrived with the meeting time and an invitation to come.
Noah deleted his reply before sending it. The next day, he told his father how quickly he had imagined the worst. They talked about leaving room for an explanation before reacting.
James calls believers to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. That applies to reading messages as well as listening aloud. We do not know everything from the first line. A pause can give truth time to arrive. Noah still needed to work on his quick assumptions, but one unsent message kept his mistake from becoming a needless wound to his friend.
Bring the truth into your day
Try to understand the whole statement before deciding how to answer. When anger rises, pause long enough to keep it from choosing your words. James warns that human wrath does not produce God's righteousness. A real concern may need to be addressed, but insults will not make your case more faithful. Ask for a calm conversation or adult help, and speak about the facts instead of attacking the person.
Keep the passage in context
James calls believers to receive God's word with a teachable spirit. Human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness, so listening and restrained speech belong with obedient reception of the truth.
Read further: James 1 in the King James Bible.