“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” ~James 1:19

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” ~James 1:19

There were times at work when I would chant this in my brain - “quick to listen slow to speak; quick to listen slow to speak; quick to listen slow to speak”. Did it help? Yeah, it did. It allowed me to walk away and get my thoughts in order without erupting in reaction.

Verse 20 gives us the ‘why' - “because anger does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Anger distorts the situation - physically, our bodies flood with adrenalin and go into ‘fight or flight mode’, which shuts down the part of the brain that makes rational judgements. Did you ever say something you regret when you’re fighting mad?

I laugh when I remember a teacher saying, “When your gums are flapping, your ears don’t work”. Quick a paraphrase for James here. “Quick to listen, slow to speak”.

This is a great reminder for us all. The opposite of anger happens - the fruits of the Spirit spill over. THAT is what achieves the righteousness of God! Give me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control any day!

Written by: Bonnie Chovanec, 2026