A BELIEVER WHO IS “QUICK TO HEAR” WILL BE BLESSED
AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS
James 1:21 - 2:26 (today through 2:13)
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. James has listed three Christian behaviors or works which specifically will help
believers in their time of trial and temptation in James 1:19,20.
A. We should be “quick to hear.” This includes listening to and obeying God’s
word, confessing our sins, being merciful and loving to others (James 1:21 -2:26).
B. We should be “slow to speak.” This includes taming our tongue, doing humble
works without selfish ambition and learning how to be Christ’s peacemaker
(James 3:1-17).
C. We should be “slow to anger.” This includes giving up worldly ambitions and humbly placing ourselves under Christ’s authority (James 4:1 - 5:6).
D. The outcome of handling our trials well and having victory over temptations is
the privilege and blessing of manifesting our new life in Christ which James calls
“God’s righteousness” (vs 20). John called this “matured love” (I John 2:28-4:19).
Thought: How have you seen these behaviors help you in your time of trial?
II. A believer who learns to hear God’s word on the inside, by obeying, will manifest
God’s righteousness (James 1:21 - 27).
A. Listening on the inside involves laying aside (like clothing) our old filth of the flesh
and worldly wickedness (vs 21) (I Peter 2:1-2).
B. Listening on the inside involves living out our lives from the standpoint of our new
natures and accepting or welcoming God’s word rather than resisting its direction
(vs 21) (I Peter 1:23-25; 2:1-2).
C. Listening on the inside can save your life. This is a Greek phrase which carried the
idea of saving your physical life from death (vs 21) (Mark 3:4; Matt. 16:24-28;
Gen. 19:17 (LXX); Prov. 11:19; James 5:20). For the believer, saving your soul or life involves the process of sanctification (becoming more set apart for Christ by being freed from sins power) and has great benefits now and at Christ’s judgment seat (James 2:13).
D. Listening on the inside involves using our mind attentively and doing Christ’s law
(James 1:22-25; Rom. 6:14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Gal. 6:2).
E. Listening on the inside involves using our words in a Christ-like way, giving mercy and help to the people that have the least but that God cares for the most, and keeping ourselves pure while living in this corrupt world (James 1:26,27).
III. A believer who treats other people with the love of Christ is truly listening on the
inside (James 2:1-13).
A. Our Yahweh Jesus Christ came from glory and treated people without partiality
(vs 1)(Phil. 2:4-10).
B. We need to view outward things like jewelry and clothing as God views them.
People are the items of value! (vs 2-4)
C. Believers that are poor in this worlds goods are many times the richest in faith
and will have great privileges as co-heirs with Christ at His kingdom (vs 5-7;
Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26-28).
D. Believers will give an account to Christ at His judgment seat in the future. By
treating others with Christ’s love and manifesting His mercy, we will in turn
receive more of His mercy concerning our life as co-heirs with Him (vs 8-13;
2 Cor. 5:10; I Cor. 3:8-15; I John 4:17,18).
