Why does James counsel us to be swift to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry? In this message, we unpack the reason James offers this advice and how this can help us persevere through the darkest and most difficult times of our lives as we prepare for Jesus’ soon coming.

James uses the language of a Gardener to describe an essential aspect of Christian development. In God’s Garden, we learn that God plants us, that His purpose is for us to bear fruits. Thus, He implants His Word in us, and this grafted branch changes the entire tree. James’s brilliance is that every trial (a cut) on the tree provides an opportunity for God’s Word to change us.

James boldly asserts that a true Christian cannot keep both faith and prejudice. Christian must demonstrate mercy and grace to all they come in contact with, without any regard for external appearance and circumstances. The faith of Jesus cannot be held by any who show preferential treatment, where some are treated better than others. According to James, if these things exist, then the faith of Jesus is not there.

James addresses that when our lives are not controlled by wisdom from above, the result will be inconsistencies in our profession. Without God’s wisdom, the Christian will never be pure in his/her speech, attitude, and lifestyle. Thus, James reminds us that it is essential to ask God for wisdom to live the life of a faithful follower of Christ.