Exercise these muscles first!

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/1f7af4fc/exercise-these-muscles-first-james-no6

I'm a bit of a gym rat and can make myself at home in almost any gym, anywhere.  Because I've been at it for a while, I know what muscles are most important for me to exercise - those for strengthening, and others for building.  Further, I also know what sets of muscles have reciprocal effects - such as, when I work my abdominal muscles, I strengthen my lower back.  And since I was rear-ended while stopped at a red light in 2015, (injuring discs in my neck and back), and then had another bizarr-o accident further injuring my lower back in 2020, abdominal exercises matter a whole heck of a lot to me!

Hold that thought as we look at James' next words of wisdom, so practical for living life, especially in relationships with others:

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should

be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 

because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

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.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.   But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1.19-27

Whoa, that is quite sobering. How often I am guilty of rushing in with my words, with my opinion, when I just should have listened, and then listened a little longer.  

And as for anger?  For some time, I mistakenly thought I had no issue with anger because I did not have a temper.  Hmmm.

Friend, do not confuse these two concepts like I did.  Just because you don't 'blow your stack', does not mean you do not struggle with anger.  Anger can be a bitter thought pushed way back inside of you that gains interest, so to speak, in an account called 'Resentment'.  Anger is usually secondary to fear or hurt--so, interview yourself about anger you have - do you have resentment?

--->>>>>>figure it out, pray about it, ask God to take it from you, and be free.

James instructs his reader to 'not merely listen to the word'. . . Wait, 'Listen'?  Why did he say listen?  Because the common man had no access to the printed words of Scripture for more than a thousand years after James wrote.  'Do not merely listen, but do what it says.' [Staggering to think how blessed we are to have the whole canon of scripture in our hands, on our devices, so easily accessed, isn't it?]. Let's apply this instruction about listening and being slow to get angry.

To help with that, here is something I learned years ago from Gary Smalley. Let's say your mate or your mother or your friend says something that hurts you, makes you feel angry or defensive. . .

BEFORE you react or overreact, (even if just internally):

->Repeat back to her what you believe she said, and say, 'is that what you meant to say?'

->She then can say, 'oh, no, what I meant to say was this _____' or she will confirm what you heard. . .

->You then say, 'why did you say that?' (then, shhhh---, be quiet and listen)

->You can then explain, or simply say, 'when you said that, this is how it made me feel. . . '

->KEEP STILL, and let her respond, if she hasn't already, she may apologize. . .

If not, exhale - and as you do, release it to God; let him take it from you. It is probably not worth going to war over.

Exercise your ears before your tongue

now that's a fitness plan!

Thank goodness for this truth: listen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD-wdytFVz4&list=RDOD-wdytFVz4&start_radio=1

Christine

James, no.6