In consideration of spiritual growth, the last few articles have been spent examining ways to cultivate our hearts and minds for growing in spiritual strength. The next two articles will continue that train of thought by discussing the mindset with which we approach the word of God. Following this two-parter, we will discuss practical ways to build a good spiritual ‘diet’ of Scripture, so to speak, and grow thereby. But, as any good student of the Bible will tell you, our attitude and disposition concerning the word of God must be good and right before our study of His word can ever be the same. Therefore, if we want to grow by the life-giving word, we must first consider our approach to it.
James 1:19-25 is a powerful section of Scripture, containing invaluable advice for getting the most (or anything, really) out of the word of God. After reading this text, we will draw eight lessons from it (four in this article, four in the next), teaching us how to approach the study of the word of truth.
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. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:19-25
We must have a “Listening” Approach
Have you ever been talking to someone and just felt like they really weren’t listening? Perhaps they were zoning out, clearly focused on something else, or simply not comprehending what you were saying. Whatever the case, most would agree that it does not feel good to speak to an audience that is not listening. How do we think our Creator and Father feels when He spent millennia preparing for the coming of Jesus into the world, then sending His only begotten Son to die as a criminal for sins not His own, raising Him from the dead with glorious power, and imparting His Spirit upon man to speak and write His divine will and communicate the gospel of His love and grace—only for the audience of man to pay no attention! There are no benefits in the word of God for those who will not listen to its message: who eagerly listen to contradictory teachings, who become distracted by other cares in life, who grow weary of hearing the gospel of Jesus preached, or who blankly refuse to heed the communication of God. The author of Hebrews, when rebuking his audience for their lack of growth, called them out on their failure to listen, saying, “you have become dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11). God has elected the human ear as a vessel for the communication of grace and the inspiration of faith (Romans 10:17); woe unto those who are slow to hear! James writes, “let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak.” When we face challenges of faith, difficult decisions, the reality of our sin, and the imperfections of our character, may we be quick to hear God’s word on the matter. Spiritual growth requires the development of an attitude of listening (in place of presumptuous speaking) to the will of God.
We must have an “Objective” Approach
James continues, “[be] slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” How many times have we interacted with someone who rejected plain truth because of the way they felt about the matter? How many times have we been the one rejecting truth because of preconceived notions, attachment to traditions, desire for popularity and acceptance, or anger at the implications of that truth? Naaman would have died a leper because of his anger at the divine message, if not for the kind influence of his servants (2 Kings 5:10-14). No matter how an issue makes us feel, truth is objective and God’s word is completely, universally, and eternally true. The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God; faith, which comes by hearing the word of God, produces the righteousness of God (Romans 10:1-17). If we want to grow spiritually stronger, we must approach the word of God objectively, being diligent to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
We must have a “Sacrificial” Approach
In Jesus’ parable of the sower, the third soil mentioned was that soil which held thorns, choking the life out of the young plant before it could grow to maturity. Jesus identified these thorns as the “cares, riches, and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14). The apostle John warned against loving the things in the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life), for all of these things will pass away; “but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). It is a tragic occurrence when men approach the word of God and conform its teachings to their lifestyle rather than conforming their lifestyle to the will of God. If we wish to become spiritually strong, we must approach Scripture with a sacrificial attitude. We must be willing to give up anything and everything that keeps us from performing holy service to God (Romans 12:2), even if it costs us our comfort, popularity, relationships, pleasure, money, or life. Jesus said that only those who are willing to sacrifice everything to follow Him could be His disciples (Luke 9:23). Claiming that we are those true disciples who have given all, while still holding onto sinful desires and unapproved activities, is indubitably an act of lying to God, to the Holy Spirit, and to our brethren (Acts 5:1-5). When we approach the word of God, we must be “laying aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.”
We must have a “Meek” Approach
James 1:21 continues, “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” If we are to grow as Christians, we must constantly be receiving the word of God and doing so with meekness. Meekness is a twofold idea of humility and submission; I am setting aside my own interests and desires, and I am choosing to adopt the will of another. This attitude must be brought to the table of Bible study if we wish to truly grow from that study. Are we reading Scripture with such a focused thought, that “I am setting aside my own interests and desires to do the will of God as revealed in this text”? Selfish study, as noted above, will result only in false disciples who are still living for themselves, unchanged by the gospel. Prideful study will result only in a “my way is better” disposition that imposes personal opinions and arrogant thoughts onto the pure word of Christ. Meek study, however, results only in a transformation of the heart, mind, and life into the image of Christ. Do you want to grow spiritually stronger? Approach the word of God with an intention to listen, a purpose of objectivity, a willingness to sacrifice, and a heart of meekness.
Zeal For Your House 