The Word That Works

James is direct: angry words, thoughtless words, and religious words don’t have a place in a life of faith. Our words don’t work … but God’s word does! Our job is simply to cooperate with his word.

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Questions:

James 1:19-27

1. Where in our society have you witnessed people using angry words, thoughtless words, or religious words to bring about some kind of change? What impact have you seen from this kind of speech?
2. How would you explain the phrase “human anger does not bring about God’s righteousness?”
3. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger ” (v19). Who in your life would you say this describes? What kind of an impact have they had on you and others?
4. What does it mean to “humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls” (v21)? How do you practice that?
5. Is there an area of your life where you may have been listening to what Jesus says without acting on it? What is one thing you can do this week to go beyond merely listening to the word and doing it?