Characteristics of Faith
James 1:19-27
As I prepared this week’s message, I was reminded of a show I watched as a young lad. The show was called Mr. Ed—you know the one:
“A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse, of course. That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed.”
It ran from 1961-1966 and featured the talking Mr. Ed. Did you ever wonder how they got the horse to talk? It was peanut butter! It got the horse’s lips to move, and actor Allen Lane provided the voice for Mr. Ed.
A horse is a big, powerful animal, but we control this animal with a small item called a bridle—or in the case of Mr. Ed, peanut butter. Today, we will look at James’ third test of our faith: Response to the Word as we study James 1:19-27. In these verses, we find three elements of the test.
I. Proper Receptivity (v. 19-21)
A. Things we should be (v. 19-20)
James 1:19-20 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Be quick to listen. Barb asks me if I have lost my hearing when I don’t respond to her. This is a great indicator that listening isn’t the absence of words—it is active and takes attention. You might even say it takes energy to listen.
Proverbs 17:28 states, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
So, guys, there is an advantage to staying silent, but the key for us is to not be fools. We need to put in the energy to listen.
Next, James says be slow to speak. We all know someone who, when they speak, everyone listens. It’s that person who is always quiet, but when they do speak, it is filled with truth and wisdom. The type of person James is encouraging us to be is one who speaks truth, edifies others, and honors the Lord with our words.
James then adds the encouragement to be slow to anger. Notice it doesn’t say never be angry; it says be slow to anger. He further defines this anger by saying that human anger does not produce righteousness. There is an anger that produces righteousness—holy indignation.
God is angry at sin and injustice, yet His anger isn’t poured out at the first act of sin or injustice. He is patient in His anger. This is how we are to approach anger. Godly anger doesn’t lose control. On the other hand, human anger lashes out, loses control, and seeks to harm, while God’s anger seeks restitution and reconciliation.
B. Things we should get rid of (v. 21a)
James 1:21 says, “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent.”
James shows us that receiving the Word requires putting aside filthiness and wickedness. Filthiness is a barrier that prevents us from clearly hearing the Word. To remove wickedness, we must confess our sins, repent (change direction), and eliminate sinful behavior.
When I was a teenager, we lived on a hobby farm—my dad’s hobby, my chores. I had the delight of cleaning out the cow pens. For you non-farmers, that means I scooped out the poop. Needless to say, you get pretty dirty doing that type of work.
Now, it wouldn’t make sense to finish that work, go into the house, and jump onto my bed without cleaning up first. If I didn’t, I would soil every part of my life. Sin makes us filthy. We need to clean up, or it will soil all areas of our lives.
C. Things we should incorporate in our lives: The Word (v. 21b)
James 1:21b says, “and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
The humility James describes means meekness or gentleness—it doesn’t reflect arrogance. Jesus says in John 14:21, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” We need to know Jesus’ commands in order to keep them.
Paul reveals the value of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
If you take anything away from today’s message, it is what Paul wrote here.
II. Personal Responsiveness (v. 22-25)
A. We deceive ourselves if we are hearers only (v. 22)
James 1:22 states, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Why would someone only listen to the Word and not do it? Because being a doer requires work. Too often, Christians get satisfied—they have Jesus and the promise of eternity, and that’s enough for them. But is that demonstrating gratitude to Jesus for all He did for us?
Obedience to the Word is the most basic spiritual requirement. It isn’t about a feeling—it’s about being obedient children before the Father.
B. The Example of a Man Looking into a Mirror (v. 23-25)
James 1:23-25 compares someone who hears the Word but does not act to a man looking in a mirror and forgetting his reflection. Mirrors in the first century were highly polished metals, requiring effort to see oneself clearly.
Psalm 19:7-9 and Joshua 1:8 emphasize that applying God’s Word is what brings wisdom, joy, and success.
III. Prompt Resignation (v. 26-27)
A. The Necessity of Controlling the Tongue (v. 26)
James 1:26 states, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
A bridle is small but controls a powerful horse. Our tongues need the same control!
Jesus says in Matthew 12:34, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” What comes out of our mouths reflects what is in our hearts. If we want good things to come out of our mouths, we must fill our hearts with good things—God’s Word.
B. Pure Religion Before God (v. 27)
James 1:27 defines pure and faultless religion as caring for the vulnerable—orphans and widows—and remaining unstained by the world.
Those who act as foster parents or adopt children live out this value. Those who care for widows, ensuring they have transportation to church, live it out.
James’ words “to look after” carry the idea of helping in any way possible. This extends beyond just orphans and widows—it applies to anyone in need.
James concludes with a call to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. This requires ongoing effort.
1 John 2:15-17 warns us not to love the world because “the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
Conclusion
Will you do the will of God? To pass James’ test, you must go to your Bible, see your flaws, and change. That’s it! Are you willing to change your ways when you become aware that they don’t reflect the character of Jesus?
Coffee & Conversation Questions
- Listening & Speaking: James 1:19-20 tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. How does truly listening to others (rather than just waiting for your turn to talk) impact your relationships? Can you think of a recent time when you spoke too quickly or let anger take control?
- Hearing vs. Doing: James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” What are some practical ways we can ensure we are doers of the Word and not just hearers? How do you personally apply Scripture to your daily life?
- Spiritual Mirrors: The sermon compared God’s Word to a mirror that reveals our true selves. When was the last time Scripture convicted you of something you needed to change? What did you do about it?
- Controlling the Tongue: James 1:26 warns that an uncontrolled tongue makes a person’s religion “worthless.” What are some examples of how our words can either build up or tear down others? How can we practice using our words in ways that honor God?
- Pure Religion: James 1:27 defines true religion as caring for orphans, widows, and staying unstained by the world. In what ways can we as a church and individuals better care for those in need? What are some “worldly influences” that we need to guard against in our daily lives?