Clean Sweep
James 1:19-21
Introduction
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Jesus is the reason we can even begin to look at control of our listening, speaking, anger, and actions. Without Him nothing would be possible when it comes to the attitudes of the heart. Without the assurance from the Father of the Lord and Savior we could not accomplish the inward changes that are described. Everything begins with the greatest "Good Gift", God’s only Son Christ Jesus as found in James 1:18.
Writer Charles Swindoll once found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it. "I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day," he recalled in his book Stress Fractures. "Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable.
"I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, ’Daddy, I wanna tell you somethin’ and I’ll tell you really fast.’
"Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, ’Honey, you can tell me -- and you don’t have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly." "I’ll never forget her answer: ’Then listen slowly.’"
1. The Talk
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Quick to listen implies that you are listening not speaking. The Greek wise men had a rule to listen very carefully before responding. That way, you can give a right answer to the situation. The rabbi’s and Jewish teachers said, "Speak little and do much!" The righteous speak little, and do much; the wicked speak much, and do nothing. The son of Sirach says, “Be swift to hear, and with deep consideration give answer.” James again says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak."
James does not stop with speaking and listening but goes to the heart of many caustic occurrences in the church, anger. Of all the problems that occur and continue to occur over the life of a church or believer anger is central. James says,
Slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
One commentary said, “There are four kinds of dispositions. “First, Those who are easily incensed, and easily pacified; these gain on one hand, and lose on the other. Secondly, those who are not easily incensed, but are difficult to be appeased; these lose on the one hand, and gain on the other. Thirdly, those who are difficult to be incensed, and are easily appeased; these are the good. Fourthly, those who are easily angered, and difficult to be appeased; these are the wicked.” Those who are hasty in speech are generally of a peevish or angry disposition. A person, who is careful to consider what he says, is not likely to be soon angry. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the NT)
Will we get angry, yes. Should it result in broken relationships, no but it often does. What is the cost of anger, a poor witness and lost trust. What can we do when we get angry and speak, seek forgiveness and give forgiveness. Why, because that is what Jesus did for us.
2. Clean Sweep - v. 21a
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. v.21
Therefore is there for a reason. It is one of those words that need to be circled when you come across it in scripture. It simply means that what is written after is based on what was stated before the "therefore".
How do we control the mouth and anger in our lives? It is not easy. James latter in this book says it is a sign of a mature believer.
The first step is to get rid of the junk. The moral filth that James speaks of is that which infects the mind through the flesh. These are the fleshly habits which pollute the soul and wreak havoc in our daily walk.
Get rid of anything and everything that causes you to be draw, tempted, and filled with sin of the flesh and mind. It could be a cable channel or a web site. It could be a book you just don’t want to throw away or bottle or paraphernalia.
Clean Sweep - Whatever is in your life that leans toward the flesh and sin, throw it out. I occasionally watch a program called "Clean Sweep". It is where experts in organization enter your home to help with the junk and clutter. Each item is carefully considered and eventually decisions are made what to keep and what to throw away. The part I like is they are left with a neat orderly house, minus the junk.
3. The Walk or How To Be Real - v.21b
Humbly accept the word planted in you,
At one point in the Gospels Jesus talked about a man who was clean and emptied of demons but nothing took their place so he was filled seven fold with demons. When you get rid of all of the filth of your life that leads to sin there must be something to take its place.
Abide in God’s word. Get rid of everything and implant the word of God in your life. Make it your chief guide, rule book, manual for living and you will know what the Lord’s will is for your life.
The Greek words imply that we are to allow the Word to be grafted into our lives so that it eventually grows to be our life. Like a burn victim who receives graphs of skin that will one day be flesh we too must have God’s word grafted into us so that it becomes us.
Philippians 4:9 says,
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
4. The Promise or Benefit
Which can save you. v.21
What is the benefit of all of this, it saves us. If we read and heed the Word of God we will be lead to the ultimate truth who is Jesus Christ. The entire Bible from beginning to end is about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Isn’t it time to get rid of the garbage and allow in the Lord.
