Why Does James Say We Should Be "Slow to Speak"?
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The letter written by James was penned to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. It contains many key themes, such as trials, faith and works, wisdom, and riches and poverty. The letter of James reiterates the idea that believers should not just hear the word of God, but be doers of the word. Within this epistle’s first chapter, we find a well-known verse.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).
This verse not only gives wise instruction, but it points followers of Jesus to spiritual growth and encourages us to live in ways marked by patience and peace. James encouraged his audience to allow God to transform them as He leads them in the way of righteousness. James wrote that Christians should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because these are wise ways to live and reflect true faith by conducting oneself in obedience to Christ.
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What Does This Verse Mean?
There is great wisdom in this verse. It is a three-part instruction: be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. These three are intentionally connected in this verse. Throughout Scripture, we find similar guidance to not be easily angered and to instead be thoughtful in our speaking.
“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27).
In this letter, James affirmed the consistent biblical message: it is good to gain understanding (quick to listen) and restrain one’s speech (slow to speak), so that you will not be overcome or quick to get angry (slow to become angry). Usually, when we are angry, we are not listening and we may end up using harsh words. Simply put, Scripture makes it clear that this is not how Christians should conduct themselves, and this type of behavior is not honoring to God. Rather, believers can glorify God by being faithful doers of the word – listening, refraining, and not being easily angered.
Our natural inclination is to do it the other way: be quick to anger, say hurtful words, and barely listen at all. In our sinfulness, we can struggle to be good listeners, and we may even have a hard time dealing with anger. God’s word remains a lamp unto our feet and leads the way to living in true peace with others as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us.
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What Is the Context of James 1?
The author, James, who self-identifies in the first verse of the letter, is the half-brother of Jesus. Sometime after Jesus’ ascension, James became an influential leader per accounts in the book of Acts. He wrote to a primarily Jewish audience who lived in the Roman Empire.
They faced difficult circumstances – trials, poverty, and injustice. In this first chapter of James, he offered encouragement to his brothers and sisters in Christ to have confidence that even in their suffering, they could experience the joy of the Lord. In fact, James wrote that overcoming trials would lead them to spiritual maturity and perseverance in their faith (see James 1:2-4).
This chapter goes on to teach that followers of Jesus should be doers of the word, not just hearers of it. God does not want His children to simply hear or read and move on, but to digest and put into action what Scripture says. The Bible is the living word of God that teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains in righteousness (see 2 Timothy 3:16). In this context of being doers not just hearers, James wrote to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. This chapter goes on to bring further clarity about anger and why Christians need to be slow to get angry.
“Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20).
God cares about the condition of His children’s hearts. He wants righteousness to be what Christians produce; anger will not accomplish that. Anger can cause inner turmoil, pain, and strain relationships. God has another way for His children – the ways of listening, understanding, being thoughtful in our speech, and not being overcome with anger. This demonstrates spiritual maturity.
The rest of this chapter focuses on the importance of living according to Scripture and controlling our tongues. This chapter is filled with insights, truth, and encouragement for believers to embrace their identity in Christ.
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Why Should We Be Slow to Speak?
The reality is that human beings are not natural listeners. We are quick to fill the silence rather than simply be present with someone else. When we get frustrated or feel betrayed, anger can creep its way in and cause an explosion of emotions and hurtful words to be said.
The Bible remains relevant to every situation we face, and God understands exactly how we work because He is our Creator. Although unrighteous anger is a result of sinful nature, God still knows our temptations and how we function in brokenness. The Lord longs for His children to experience an abundant life, which is why Scripture is full of beneficial instruction on how to live faithfully according to His ways, rather than sinful ways. James’ letter also includes a warning against not controlling the tongue.
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (James 1:26).
If we are going to consider ourselves Christians, then we need to take seriously that God wants us to follow Him in thought, word, and deed. This is how our light shines in the midst of a dark world. When we are quick to listen and slow to speak, we will guard ourselves against becoming quick to anger. Being slow to speak and quick to listen will help us gain the perspective of the other person, understand what they are thinking and feeling, and give us the time needed to calm down and not become easily angered.
Truly, these two actions will protect us from becoming overwhelmed by anger. As a result, we will have the choice to not get angry and instead respond or act in love, patience, and truth.
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A Prayer for God to Help Us Control Our Tongues
Heavenly Father,
I come to You with praise on my lips and thanksgiving in my heart. You are a good God who is compassionate, understanding, and gracious. Your loving kindness endures forever. I humbly come before You, Lord, asking for Your help. I desire that You would help me to control what I say and what comes out of my mouth. I confess that sometimes I am quick to speak, slow to listen, and quick to anger. I desire to live by Your great wisdom found in Scripture to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Help me to grow in the fruit of self-discipline. Help me to be a better listener. Help me to have deeper understanding and exercise the restraint needed to avoid using harsh words that hurt others. Lord, I want to honor you with how I talk and what I say. Let Your Holy Spirit do a work in my heart and my ways, so that I will be like Jesus in how I live.
I pray all this in Jesus’ most holy name, amen!
Controlling our words, developing ears that listen, and being slow to anger are areas that God invites us to grow in and mature in our faith. We do not follow Scripture by our own might, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can seek God for His help and know that He loves us as we strive to become more like Jesus. Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger is good wisdom that will help us be at peace with others, live in line with Scripture, and glorify God.
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