In this verse, James gives us three us three practical principles to practice, (especially in the midst of trial and trouble). First, he says we need to be “Swift to Hear.” Second, we should be “Slow to Speak.” Third, we should be “Slow to Wrath.”  

I want to take some time to examine each of these admonitions over the next three days in our devotions. First, we must be “swift to hear.” The question arises, “Swift to hear what?” Surely James was not saying that we should be swift to hear just anything. The answer is, “We must be swift to hear the Word of Truth,” (Jam. 1:18). Not idle and unprofitable talk, or filthy and corrupt communication, but rather wholesome advice, good instructions, and above all, the Word of God. We should make haste, and start early in our day with the reading of it. We should meditate on its instruction and allow it to shape our understanding, and influence our thinking (Ps. 119:148, 169). We should order our steps according to the instruction we find therein (Ps. 119:133).  We should find our hope in it and it should be the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path, (Ps. 119:147, 105). We should be constant and faithful in the keeping of it, (Ps. 119:101).

Are you anxious everyday to read God’s Word and hear what it has for you? An old Jewish proverb says that there are four types of students:    

1. He who is quick to hear and quick to forget: His gain is cancelled by his loss.
2. He who is slow to hear and slow to forget: His loss is cancelled by his gain.
3. He who is quick to hear and slow to forget: He is a wise man.
4. He who is slow to hear and quick to forget: He is a fool!


    WHICH ARE YOU?

Thought for Today: “He who talks too much is rarely taught too much.” M.D.H. Sr.