James: Sin Out, Scripture In

Preached on 8.30.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21 ESV

Overview of the Text: James gives us the command “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” & then he offers an explanation for that command: for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” He then gives another command to “put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness” and instead “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

“Know this, my beloved brothers” An attention getting phrase that reveals James’ “pastor’s heart” for his people.

“let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; The pressure is on. The “stress level” and temptation to sin against one another is high. James is encouraging them to remember the power of their words and to be patient with one another.

“for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Two Types of Anger in the Bible:

1. Righteous. (Matt. 21, 23, Mk. 11)
2. Unrighteous. (This is what James is speaking of).

Where Does this Unrighteous Anger Come From?

Anger is seldom a primary emotion.

1. We are hurt (Either in the moment or in the past).
2. We feel threatened (We get angry in an attempt to protect ourselves).
3. We have unrealistic/unbiblical expectations that are not being met (We get angry like a child does.
4. One of our idols is threatened (Self-Insecurity, Control, Greed, etc.) and we get ready to fight to defend it.

What makes me angry? What does that reveal about my heart? What needs to change externally/internally so that I wouldn’t walk in the ‘anger of man’ that does not produce the righteousness of God?

“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness” “Put off” any and every kind of sin. Similar to what we see in Hebrews 12:1.

“and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls.” A ref. to the Scriptures which has the obvious benefit of saving our souls if we heed what they say about Jesus and appropriating that message to all of our lives.

The more sin we eliminate from our lives, the more room we have for the Word of God.

Putting Feet On It:

“let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”

1. Start with learning keep your mouth shut.
   • Pray that God would give you the strength and that this becomes your habit.
2. Learn to practice the PAUSE—stop yourself when you get angry.
   • Pray:
     • That you would be angry and not sin (Eph. 4:26).
     • That you would not repay evil for evil (Rom. 12:17).
     • That you would not look to your own interests but also the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).
     • Look to Jesus for His strength and not your own.
   • Ask questions:
     • Is this something I should be angry about at all?
     • Is this righteous/unrighteous anger?
     • Why am I angry about this?
     • What is the most constructive way to express this anger?
   • When you act, be as Christ-like and measured as possible.
3. When you get it wrong (and you will), confess and repent quickly—both to God and those you hurt.
4. If there are deeper issues fueling your anger, get the healing you need. We have resources available to help you.

“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted  word, which is able to save your souls.”

1. “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness…”
   • Turn from sin and trust in Christ. First things first.
   • What are the particular sinful practices that you are struggling with at this time? Be as specific as possible.
   • What are the idols that are driving those practices? What is my strategy to deal with them? What are the wounds that need to be healed?
2. “…receive with meekness the implanted word…”
   • Sunday messages. Community Groups. Personal reading.
   • Upcoming Bible Class, October 18, 2009.
   • What is preventing me from receiving and responding to the Word of God?

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Messages by Chip Ingram and Daniel Motgomery