Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. (James 1:19) Excellent advice, but difficult at times to put into practice. And quite often we are quick to anger because we have been slow to listen and quick to speak. When we do so we think we doing the right thing – correcting a wrong, bringing justice. Unfortunately, such anger, birthed of our human desires, cannot accomplish what God desires. 

Our focus must always be on God and our actions must reflect His presence in our daily lives. There is a difference between Biblical awareness and Biblical action. We can know what God wants us to do, but not do it. James says, “Just Do It.” Actually, he says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) That’s right – just do it.

The word “religion” carries with it many connotations – some good, some bad, and some in between. In James 1:26-27 we see an indication of what “good religion” is. It is not an all-inclusive checklist of how to be a “good” Christian, but it is rather one of several New Testament check-up lists which give us an indication of how we are honoring God with our lives. James gives us 3 items in particular that we need to examine in our own lives: 1. Control your tongue; 2. Care for those with no voice or personal power; & 3. Live pure lives unstained by the world.

3 Easy Steps – Ha!! The fact is that this is only the beginning of the check-up list(s) that God gives us in His Word. We are not saved by doing the things God asks us to do, but we want to do them because we’re saved. And God doesn’t want us to be saved and then never grow so He is constantly challenging us with ways to glorify His name. We continually find ourselves being doers or the Word and not hearers only.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, September 3, 2023. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is The Making of Authentic Faith. You can find printed and digital versions of this series online at:

gc2press.org/the-making-of-authentic-faith-james-study-guide/ .

Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

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