Be Slow to Speak - Protestant Caucus/Devotional

"Let everyone be . . . slow to speak" (James 1:19). Don’t rush into the role of a Bible teacher.

It is reported that when the Scottish Reformer John Knox was called to preach, he shed many tears and withdrew himself to the privacy of his room. He was grieved and greatly troubled at the prospect of such an awesome responsibility. Only the compelling grace of the Holy Spirit Himself enabled Knox to fulfill his calling.

John Knox understood the importance of being slow to speak. He knew that God holds teachers of the Word accountable for what they say, and will dispense a stricter judgment to them if they violate their ministry (James 3:1- 2).

In one sense, God holds everyone accountable for what they say. You are to "let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Eph. 4:29). But being slow to speak doesn't refer to vocabulary or opinions. It refers to teaching the Word. You are to pursue every opportunity to hear God's Word, but exercise reluctance in assuming the role of a teacher. Why? Because the tongue reveals the subtle sins of one's heart and easily offends others (James 2:2).

Does that mean you should never teach the Bible? No, because God commands every believer to "make disciples . . . teaching them to observe all" that Jesus taught (Matt. 28:19-20, emphasis added). And the Spirit gifts many believers to be preachers and teachers of the Word. Paul said, "I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:16).

You must take every opportunity to share the gospel with others, and if God has called and gifted you to teach the Word, be faithful to do so. But remember, those are serious and sacred responsibilities. Be sure your motives are pure and your teaching accurate. If someone is offended, let it be by the convicting power of the Word, not by something you said at an unguarded moment.

Ask the Lord to teach you to guard your tongue and to speak only what is edifying to others.

Read Proverbs 10:19, 13:3, 17:28, and 29:20, noting what each teaches about wise speech.

Isn't it the Holy Spirit that speaks through us when we share the Gospel and not ourselves?

Can a person who has not invited the Holy Spirit to indwell them and instruct them on where to go, what to do, and what to say actually share the REAL Gospel?

If so, it wouldn't be a matter of just being "slow to speak" but a matter of waiting on the Holy Spirit to move you to speak and tell you what to say.

Is that what this devotional is saying implicitly?

An unsaved person can share what is written in the Bible with others, but they themselves have no insight I to the mysteries of the word like saved people do, to one extent or another.

The bible speaks of the apostates that “came close” to salvation, but who never too, the fi al step of salvation, and turned away from God in the end. Those folks tasted of the “perks” (for lack of a better word) of salvation, which I beleive was holy insight into God’s word. They were present when the gospel was given to others, and likely could hive others the word of God, and God could use that to touch the hearts and to save others of course, but again, the apostates never had the truth in their hearts, just the carnal knowledge of ehat the bible said.

I beleive part of what the “slow to speak” command might be talking about all the false preachers out there who are “quick to take up preaching” as a source of income only. Those folks have a lot of words... empty worthless words (unless God interveins and causes someone to hear the word and seek God on their own), and as such, they bring judgement on themselves for not preaching the true gospel and causing many to “miss the mark”-

There are those, myself inc,used, who got into every argument about the word of God, who felt that is was our duty to “defend the word of God” at every opportunity- but r3flect8ng back, I can see I was “quick to speak” and “throwing pearls to swine” by arguing with devoted christ haters. I still have a problem with that, but not as bad as I used to be. I’m slowly learning to be “slower to speak” than before. My only hope is that the words I spoke before co trained enough gospel to be of some use to God at some point in other folk’s lives as God’s word will not return void. I just hope I didn’t do too much damage.

Lemme jusy expand the following a bit more

“, the apostates never had the truth in their hearts, just the carnal knowledge of what the bible said.”

AND th3y had first hand knowledge of what the word can do in other people’s lives, as they had witnessed it themselves in others. Thry “tasted” of the power of God (saw what it could do in others), but never took it in themselves and made it their own.

Excellent comments and thoughts.

That said, I was actually thinking of people who are saved, but still don't wait for the Holy Spirit to move them before they speak.

My local church is loaded with people who I "think" are saved (they say they are), but they don't seem to understand the importance of a seamless relationship with the Holy Spirit.

I have even heard John MacArthur demean what he calls Spiritual "transcendentalism" (i.e., the transcendent experience/lifestyle that comes from a tight relationship with the Holy Spirit). [I saw a sermon where John was criticizing Spirit-filled churches.]

As for folks we think might be saved but are unsure, we are all at different spiritual levels and spiritual maturity. Had a pastor say once “we are where we need to be as God knows that if we were at a “higher plane” (so to speak- maybe “at a more mature level of spirituality” would be better) we would be facing spiritual battles that we were not prepared to face given our current level of spiritual maturity (or lack thereof), and we would fall flat on our faces and have our faith rocked to a.point we couldn’t handle it.

I think there Is a lot of wisdom in that statement. I know I’ve looked at folks who claim to be saved, yet who are indistinguishable from “the world”, yet I have to remind myself that I am not with these folks 24/7, and do not know for instance that they might be some of the only ones who brings the poor and down and out druggies or drunks or spirituslly hurting folks food or encouragement when they most desperately need it, and who might be able to get through to such people whereas a three piece suited person with a Bible tucked under each arm might never be able to (without holy intervention) given such diverse lifestyles. I have to remind myself that the folks I think aren’t saved, may be saved and do more to help others than I do. I am not there 24/7, and can’t say what those folks do in their private lives- I only see them in church surroundings, and maybe out in public being “less than spkritual” (in my mind) that others. I’m not there at critical moments when the holy spirit moves these people who are “less spiritually mature” than i to act and be a testimony to individuals who are as rough, or more so, than they are. Those folks actualy put me to shame really. They tend to the world’s forgotten people. They walk into th3 fire to pull people to their rescue when I likely would “think it too dangerous to venture” in, or be too inconvenienced to act.

I’m not too familiar with McArthur, so I can’t comment on his sermon s. All I kinda know is that he is said to preach a type of lordship salvation which I find to be not very biblical, though whi h I can see folks might beleive given some of,the verses in the bible- I differ from him and others on that for many reasons, and be.eive the original word for “repent” means to “turn from our current beleif that we are good enough, and to finally come to accept that it is only christ that saves”, and I have several reasons s for believing that that is what the word means.

Thanks. I remembered the statement by the preacher about spiritual levels, and have zlways felt it was a great reminder for me to not seek any “higher levels” than what I am currently at, per gods appointment, as it could spell doom because I wouldn’t be spiritually capable of handling the levels,of spiritual attacks from the evil one that come with being closer to God and doing more for him yet.

I tend to get caught up in “doing things of substance and with showey results for God” but just being faithful is “doing”, and often all that God allows some folks who are isolated and not able to get out (like folks who lived on the prairies way back when, and couldn’t get out) - they likely felt that they weren’t “doing g enough” because of their situations, but the reality was just being g faithful was al. God required of them for his own purposes.

Sometimes I imagine all that God requires of folks who might seem backslidden or worldly or whatever is that for now, they just keep,the faith and respond when the holy spirit moves them to act even In their “carnal state”. ,infa like the widow who had only a penny to put in the offering box- she didn’t have much, but gave when moved to give, and christ honored that above the folks who valued everyone seeing them give great amounts. It’s the heart’s attitude at the time of the act that matters methinks. (Not saying that trying to honor God through god,y living is ad, of course it isnt- just reminding that even folks who are rea.ly spiritually immature are used by God too.)

The thing that has been bothering me lately about churches is this idea that a Christian can be "good."

We cannot be good even if we try. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit can be "good" through us if we get out of the way and let him.

That's what I was referring to in my original comment.

I wasn't criticizing people for not being good. I was commenting on Christians being "saved" yet not inviting the Holy Spirit into their body, mind, and spirit.

Only God acting through us is capable of "good." This idea that people can become saved and change the world without being born again of the Holy Spirit is (as I think you said) a powerful and potentially dangerous thing.

no, i agree with that- Paul said something to the tune of ‘that which i should do i do not, and that which i shouldn’t do i continually do’ - We all get in the way of the Holy Spirit working in our lives- Even the great Paul- King David, etc- it happens=- I think though the Holy Spirit works in people at times when they don’t even realize it- like when someone who appears backslidden sees a down and out person- and the Holy Spirit moves that Christian to act- the person doesn’t think they are acting in the power of the Spirit im sure, because they know deep down that they are backslidden, and not a great Christian, but they are actually acting in the power of the Spirit when they stop to help- or to encourage those who need it etc- like you said- the only good to come out of us is through the Spirit- without htre spirit we are evil- enemies of God-

God works in mysterious ways- and the Spirit Listeth where He will - and i just personally think the Spirit works in folks of all levels of spiritual maturity as He sees fit for the particular circumstances at hand

Amen metmom.

Prayer For Grace To Listen To Other People

Dear Lord Jesus, I want to walk in spirit and truth, to walk humbly before You and to learn to be graciously patient, especially when I am with other people. Lord, I want to live a life that is honouring to You and to fulfil the role that You have given me to do within the body of Christ.

Help me to be quick to listen to other people and not always be the one that wants other people to always listen to me. Help me to listen in love, not only their needs and hopes and fears but to listen to their advice and their opinions. May I be an encouragement to them, someone who lifts up the other person and considers their needs before my own.

Help me to really listen to what they say and not to be waiting for an opportunity for me to discuss my opinions or display my own intelligence. Give me the grace and patience to be a good listener I pray, so that I may demonstrate the love of Jesus to all around me. In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayer-for-grace-to-listen-to-other-people-540

I certainly agree with you.

That said, I am regularly surprised at how my initial narrow interpretation of a verse fails to include all its other applications in my life.

It is amazing how the Holy Spirit opens our minds and eyes to His wisdom. Unfortunately, the more He shows me, the more I realize how much of an idiot I was before...and how much of an idiot I must still be to Him. ;-)

I guess that's how He teaches me about humility.

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