Swift, Slow, Slow

Read Matthew 7

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be

 swift to hear, 

slow to speak, 

slow to wrath;

for the wrath of man does not

 produce the righteousness of God.

Therefore lay aside all 

filthiness and overflow of wickedness, 

and receive with meekness 

the implanted word; which is able to save your souls.

But be doers of the word,

 and not hearers only, 

deceiving yourselves.

                                                                                  James 1:19-22
Are we really doers of the Word.  Matthew 7:21 states “Not everyone who says to me, ‘LORD, LORD,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
I would give you a challenge to read Matthew chapter 5 to 7.  This portion of Scripture, I think could well be called Jesus’ basic instructions to Christians.
These instructions simply put, are to put God first, others second, then ourselves.  It tells us to even love our enemies.
All too many Christians are simply hearers of the Word.  They study it, they hear it weekly from the pulpit.
They may even hear it daily from the written word, the radio, television or tapes, yet they fail to make it a reality in their lives.  They fail to be doers.
If you look at them outside of church they look and act like anyone else in secular society.
Now, I’m not saying we should be out there as one friend put it, “Bible thumping.”
Hitting people over the head with the Bible, figuratively, or physically can have the same effect, that of making them run away.
You don’t have to be always preaching sermons to the unconverted verbally.   Instead living the Christian lifestyle by laying aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.  You should be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Listen to what the Word of God says.   Listen to what those around you are saying.  Go to God and ask Him for wisdom.
Choose your words carefully when you’re speaking to non Christians.  Don’t be quick to say “your wrong and I’m right, and you’re all going to hell.”
That’s probably the fastest way to turn them off.
As a youthful friend of mine is fond of saying “chill”, keep a lid on your temper.  Even if they are insulting you and God.
Anger has never won anyone to Christ, but it may have set people on the road to an eternity without Him.

Something to think about:

Are you really practising what Jesus taught?

Read carefully Matthew chapters 5 to 7,

 and ask God how you can make 

what is spoken a reality  in your life.