Alva Review-Courier -

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every one of you be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20 NKJV).

The current social and political atmosphere is tough for me to swallow. I’m sure that a number of us are concerned about the news coverage of angry citizens yelling at one another about anything and everything. I have long despised shows created in the image of Jerry Springer that promote cat fights and yell fests in search of ratings. Add to that the media’s ongoing desire to up their scores by finding the most outrageous, angry guys and gals in the group and pointing the microphone in their contorted faces and you have a recipe for unhappy, worried, angry viewers.

This phenomenon is only heightened by the fact that we have become so globally oriented. With cell phone in hand, I can get angry about stuff that a generation ago, I would never have known was happening. But now – since I know – I feel compelled to have an opinion; to yell (ALL CAPS) into my comment box and denounce all those who disagree. Here are a few thoughts:

1. I’m convinced that James never had the mass media in mind when he penned the challenge “Be quick to hear.” When we form relationships with people – real relationships – we take on the right and responsibility to share ideas and shape one another’s lives. Most of the input in our cellular devices does not qualify.

2. I am, however, convinced that James would quickly put the kibosh on Christians involving themselves in the constant caterwauling of our current age. “Slow to speak” is certainly a good guideline in any generation.

3. “Slow to anger” can help us avoid a multitude of problems, not the least of which is losing our voice for God while we lose our minds over some short-term victory or defeat.

In the end, the goal is the Glory of God. His righteousness will never be promoted by angry words.

See ya Sunday