Don't Be Angry with God - Some Thoughts on a Misused Passage

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ..." (James 1:19-20) I often hear this passage used as a general prohibition to anger. However, this passage is NOT teaching anger management as a way of life. Clearly, the Bible DOES teach such in many other places (e.g. Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:26).

However, the context of being quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger has reference to the word of God. The preceding verse reads, "Of his own will he brought us forth by THE WORD OF TRUTH, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (v. 18) and the last part of the verse afterward tells us to "...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (vs. 21) Don't be angry toward God's word!

The lesson of the verse is well-needed by ALL of us, especially, those of us who preach the word. To be "quick to hear" is in reference to what God says. Far too many, are quick to hear what everyone (insert favorite scholar or preacher here) says about God's word rather than hear God's word. "Being slow to speak" means we do not do our thinking in the pulpit and that we are certain of what God says about the matter before we proclaim it. "Being slow to anger" has reference to not being angry with what God says because you don't like it (there is a lot more of that going on than we like to admit.) Anger toward God's word takes many different forms. For example, some manifest their anger by refusing to teach the truth because they don't like what God says or because it will be controversial. The anger of some is seen by their twisting and perverting what God has said. Still others just outright reject the truth.

When we realize we have been wrong and refuse to change that anger towards God's word leads to self-deception! The truth is, ALL anger toward God is the result of self-deception. Hence, the context warns "BE NOT DECEIVED" (vs. 16)

You want to overcome your anger toward the "word of truth?" James' solution is simple, "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant 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." (vs. 22-23) Overcome your anger toward God and obey His Word!