DO OUR WORDS REFLECT THE WORD WE RECEIVE?
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
We may spend considerable time discussing Scripture, defending a conclusion, or correcting an error. But do our words reflect the teaching we claim to follow?
God’s word governs both the message we communicate and the manner in which we communicate it. Knowing a passage does not excuse misrepresenting someone. Defending a biblical teaching does not authorize bitterness, careless accusations, or corrupt speech.
James connects hearing, speaking, anger, receiving the word, and practicing it. When we read these instructions together, we see that our response to others must also come under the authority of God’s word.
1. LISTEN BEFORE ANSWERING
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
— James 1:19, KJV
Being swift to hear requires a willingness to listen. Being slow to speak requires restraint.
Sometimes we begin preparing our answer before another person has finished explaining. We may recognize a familiar phrase and assume that we already know everything the person means. We may answer a position the person has never expressed.
Listening carefully does not require accepting an error. It helps us understand what actually needs to be examined.
This applies in Bible discussions, family conversations, congregational matters, and online exchanges. Before responding, give the other person a fair hearing.
2. UNDERSTAND ACCURATELY
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
— Proverbs 18:13, KJV
This proverb exposes the foolishness of answering without first hearing the matter.
We should be able to represent another person’s position accurately before attempting to answer it. Quoting only part of a statement, assigning an unstated motive, or substituting a different claim can produce an argument that never addresses the actual issue.
Ask what the person means. Consider the surrounding explanation. Distinguish what was said from what you assumed.
The same care is necessary when reading Scripture. A phrase must be understood within its passage. We should examine the audience, circumstances, and surrounding teaching before drawing conclusions.
Accurate understanding serves truthful speech.
3. LET SCRIPTURE GOVERN
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
— James 1:21, KJV
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
— James 1:22, KJV
James calls for meek reception of the word and obedience to it.
Meekness includes being willing to receive correction ourselves. We should not approach every discussion assuming that only the other person needs to learn something.
When a question concerns biblical teaching, our answer must rest on what Scripture establishes. Personal loyalty, tradition, confidence, and repetition cannot supply missing biblical authority.
Paul also wrote:
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
— Ephesians 4:15, KJV
The surrounding discussion concerns the growth and stability of Christ’s body. Truth and love belong together in that growth.
Love does not require surrendering truth. Speaking truth does require attention to the instruction governing our conduct toward others.
READING THE PASSAGES TOGETHER
| Passage | Instruction in the passage | What it requires of our communication |
|---|---|---|
| James 1:19 | Be swift to hear and slow to speak. | Listen before responding. |
| Proverbs 18:13 | Answering before hearing is foolish. | Establish what the matter actually is. |
| James 1:21–22 | Receive the word meekly and practice it. | Accept Scripture’s correction personally. |
| Ephesians 4:15 | Speak the truth in love. | Communicate truth with love for the hearer. |
| James 1:20 | Human wrath does not work God’s righteousness. | Do not treat anger as proof of faithfulness. |
| Ephesians 4:29 | Speak what edifies and ministers grace. | Choose words that help the hearer. |
4. GOVERN YOUR ANGER
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
— James 1:20, KJV
Feeling strongly about a subject does not establish that our response is righteous.
Anger can make us impatient with questions, careless with facts, and eager to assign motives. It can move a conversation away from examining Scripture and toward attacking a person.
Paul instructed Christians:
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
— Ephesians 4:31, KJV
These instructions apply when a disagreement becomes difficult. The other person’s conduct does not release us from our own responsibilities.
Before sending a message or continuing an argument, examine your words. Are they accurate? Are they necessary? Do they address the issue? Have bitterness or personal resentment begun directing the response?
We must bring our reactions under the same word we ask others to obey.
5. SPEAK TO EDIFY
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
— Ephesians 4:29, KJV
Edifying speech helps the hearer. It may instruct, encourage, warn, or correct. Its purpose should guide our choice of words.
Paul also wrote:
“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
— Colossians 4:6, KJV
How we answer matters. We should consider the person, the question, and what will help communicate the truth clearly.
When our own words have been wrong, we must correct them. An inaccurate statement should be withdrawn. A false accusation should be corrected. Harmful conduct should be acknowledged.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
— Ephesians 4:32, KJV
Kindness and forgiveness belong in Christian conduct, including our conversations.
EXAMINING OUR OWN WORDS
| Question before speaking | Faithful application |
|---|---|
| Have I listened to the complete explanation? | Let the person finish before forming an answer. |
| Can I state the position accurately? | Ask for clarification where needed. |
| Does Scripture establish my answer? | Examine the passage in context. |
| Is anger directing my response? | Put away bitterness and reconsider the wording. |
| Will these words help the hearer? | Speak truth clearly, graciously, and constructively. |
| Have I said something inaccurate or harmful? | Correct the statement and acknowledge the wrong. |
THE CONNECTED BIBLICAL PATTERN
LISTEN
↓
UNDERSTAND ACCURATELY
↓
EXAMINE SCRIPTURE
↓
GOVERN ANGER
↓
SPEAK TO EDIFY
These instructions should shape our conversations before, during, and after a disagreement.
We must listen carefully, understand honestly, examine Scripture, govern our reactions, and choose words that serve the hearer. When we fail, the same word calls us to make a correction.
Do our words reflect the word we receive?
Open the Scriptures. Examine the teaching. Follow what God has revealed.
THAT IS THE BIBLICAL PATTERN.
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
TheBiblicalPattern.com