Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak

James writes to believers scattered among the nations. He begins with a surprising command: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Hard times can make faith stronger, so that believers become complete, lacking nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally. He must ask in faith, without doubting. A person who becomes rich or poor should remember that riches fade like a flower in the grass. Blessed is the one who endures temptation, for he will receive the crown of life.

Temptation does not come from God. Each one is tempted when drawn away by his own desires. But every good gift is from above. So everyone should be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Believers should receive the implanted word with humility and be doers of the word, and not only hearers.