Quick and Slow

February 16, 2022
Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
James 1:19-21

This week I am reviewing a very familiar passage of scripture that always makes be stop and say “oops, I blew it again”. It comes to us from the book of James, which many scholars believe was written by James, the brother of Jesus. Eugene Peterson in his introduction to the book of James writes: “…Deep and living wisdom is on display here, wisdom both rare and essential. Wisdom is not primarily knowing the truth, although it certainly includes that; it is skill in living. For what good is a truth if we don’t know how to live it? What good is an intention if we can’t sustain it? According to church traditions, James carried the nickname ‘Old Camel Knees’ because of thick calluses built up on his knees from many years of determined prayer. The prayer is foundational to the wisdom. Prayer is always foundational to wisdom” (The Message).

James 1:19-21: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (NIV).

I would imagine I am not the only one that this verse stings. The reason I say that is from many years of living with people. People who, like me, didn’t stop to think before they spoke. People, like me, who felt what they had to say was more important than what someone else was trying to say and didn’t even listen when the other person was stating their case. Yep, the book of James can be a stinger, but, sometimes you have to feel a little sting to remind yourself what to avoid. It would seem from Eugene Peterson’s introduction that the way to check the wisdom of what we are saying and or listening to, is to be in prayer before we speak and before we choose to listen or not.

Bring on the Camel Knees!

AMEN!