One of the verses Pastor Jason shared on Sunday has really been hiding in my heart all week, because God actually brought that verse to my mind before Sunday’s message. I am realizing as I look at the world around us that there is a real lack of being “slow to speak”.
I think we actually live in a culture that initially rewards being quick to speak and quick to become angry, but then, just as the enemy loves to stir up strife…later an onslaught of criticism comes to the speaker.
The earthly reward is in the outrage, but the sting of sin quickly follows.
James says it so well in the verse Pastor Jason shared, so I want to share it again here:
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” (James 1:19-20, NLT)
There is a strong movement in our current culture to do the opposite of what this verse says. And as someone that works in social media, I see the way things can be lit on fire with a simple post of outrage. The algorithm loves it, and it is sent out to even more and more people.
But here is something hopeful I see in this world of reactionary news and sharing and posting: a hunger and sincere craving for authenticity.
The more real and authentic you are on social media, the more people seem to be drawn to the message. And it’s interesting because when Paul talks about the last days He says that people will, “love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.” (2 Timothy 3:2, NLT)
These last days are characterized by inauthentic individuals who are only in it for themselves. And I don’t know about you, but I have seen this all across culture today, it’s almost scary how much this verse mirrors our current reality. But there are those who deeply crave the opposite…they crave what James 1 is telling us to do. People are increasingly become skeptical about what is “fake” and what is “real”. Those who are craving this have fertile soil for hearts to be changed by Jesus.
This is why our real and authentic walk with God is so important. As Pastor Jason put it towards the end of his message, “Be real and right with the Lord; your relationship matters.”
In these last days before the Lord returns, we must be extra vigilant to stay at the foot of the cross, tethered to our Savior. It will be increasingly harder to communicate in a world that is turning so quickly to the worship of self and darkness. But friend, in the midst of all of this…you carry the light. The light that cannot be hidden under a bushel. The light that deserves to be seen and heard, because it points to Christ.
How do we point to Him? By practicing radical humility. By being slow to speak, slow to become angry. Trust me, that is a rare thing to behold in this day and age. With God’s help, we can have this kind of control over our tongue and over our words. It matters because He matters. It matters because our witness is of utmost importance.
This week, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been tempted to speak out in anger or frustration at the state of the world. This place is not our home, so it is understandable that we will experience these emotions! But even in our frustration, let’s pray deeper into the Spirit. Let’s ask for God’s divine wisdom to hold our tongues when it is His will for us to do that.
This is about surrender. Surrender of something that is as hard to control as the tongue.
“What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (Luke 6:45b, NLT)
I think we actually live in a culture that initially rewards being quick to speak and quick to become angry, but then, just as the enemy loves to stir up strife…later an onslaught of criticism comes to the speaker.
The earthly reward is in the outrage, but the sting of sin quickly follows.
James says it so well in the verse Pastor Jason shared, so I want to share it again here:
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” (James 1:19-20, NLT)
There is a strong movement in our current culture to do the opposite of what this verse says. And as someone that works in social media, I see the way things can be lit on fire with a simple post of outrage. The algorithm loves it, and it is sent out to even more and more people.
But here is something hopeful I see in this world of reactionary news and sharing and posting: a hunger and sincere craving for authenticity.
The more real and authentic you are on social media, the more people seem to be drawn to the message. And it’s interesting because when Paul talks about the last days He says that people will, “love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.” (2 Timothy 3:2, NLT)
These last days are characterized by inauthentic individuals who are only in it for themselves. And I don’t know about you, but I have seen this all across culture today, it’s almost scary how much this verse mirrors our current reality. But there are those who deeply crave the opposite…they crave what James 1 is telling us to do. People are increasingly become skeptical about what is “fake” and what is “real”. Those who are craving this have fertile soil for hearts to be changed by Jesus.
This is why our real and authentic walk with God is so important. As Pastor Jason put it towards the end of his message, “Be real and right with the Lord; your relationship matters.”
In these last days before the Lord returns, we must be extra vigilant to stay at the foot of the cross, tethered to our Savior. It will be increasingly harder to communicate in a world that is turning so quickly to the worship of self and darkness. But friend, in the midst of all of this…you carry the light. The light that cannot be hidden under a bushel. The light that deserves to be seen and heard, because it points to Christ.
How do we point to Him? By practicing radical humility. By being slow to speak, slow to become angry. Trust me, that is a rare thing to behold in this day and age. With God’s help, we can have this kind of control over our tongue and over our words. It matters because He matters. It matters because our witness is of utmost importance.
This week, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been tempted to speak out in anger or frustration at the state of the world. This place is not our home, so it is understandable that we will experience these emotions! But even in our frustration, let’s pray deeper into the Spirit. Let’s ask for God’s divine wisdom to hold our tongues when it is His will for us to do that.
This is about surrender. Surrender of something that is as hard to control as the tongue.
“What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (Luke 6:45b, NLT)
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.