Faith Developed and Lived Out: James 1 in ActionSample

Have you ever been in a conversation where you can tell that the person you are talking to is more concerned about what they are going to say next, rather than whether they are understanding you? Hard question: Have you ever been that person?

In Matthew 12:34, Jesus said this:

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Today’s reading is a “heart check.” Talking instead of listening. Being quick to become angry. Ridding ourselves of moral filth and every expression of evil. Humbly accepting the word planted in you. Being a listener, but not a doer.

When our hearts are right, our words and actions follow. And when our actions follow, we find freedom and blessing.

For Reflection & Discussion

• How are you at truly listening to others?
• Next time you’re in a group of people, try not speaking for the first 10 minutes. (It’s really hard.)
• If anger is something you struggle with, talk to God about how you might work on that (and whom you might need to confess to).
• What is something you’ve recently “heard” from the Word, that you now need to “do?”