James 1:12-27
Hearing, speaking, doing. Each of these activities is mentioned more than once in today’s reading. Hearing is mentioned four times (vv. 19, 22, 23, 25); speaking is mentioned twice (vv. 19, 26); and doing is mentioned four times (vv. 22, 23, 25, 27). In addition, hearing precedes both speaking and doing (see especially verses 19 and 23). Which makes me think more about David’s continuing call to silence for those of us at St. Andrew’s. I confess that I have not been practicing silence as David has suggested, but I think I should. Silence and hearing before speaking or doing – a good plan.
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin… (vv. 14-15) The NASB translates “desire” as “lust”. Unfortunately, lust more often is associated with sexual thoughts. But on the other hand, lust is a much stronger word than desire – and if we thought of our own personal temptations as lust instead of desire, it might help us to battle more forcefully with those trials and to seek the Holy Spirit’s intervention on our behalf. Strange, but reasonable…!
Slava Bohu!
Well said, Fred, on both points…
I have begun to practice silence much more in the past few months because of the EHS and EHR courses, as well as David’s exhortations to do so, and it has been a spiritually healthy discipline (although I am not saying I am accomplished or even regular with it!). Interesting that the passage emphasizes this so well before doing.
I agree with you both on the silence; it is just so hard for me to be regular.
Temptation, including avoiding silence to listen to God, is from within, v. 14. But it should cause us to turn to God and depend on Him more.