The Importance of Self-Control – James 1:19–21

The Importance of Self-Control – James 1:19–21

Introduction

James 1:19–21 summons believers to a life shaped by Scripture: swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. These verses reveal the pathway of self-control that receives God’s implanted word and grows into the righteousness God desires.

Listening Before Speaking

A former Yellowstone ranger once guided hikers toward a fire lookout while ignoring his two-way radio. He found the messages distracting and shut the radio off. Near the tower, a lookout ran to him, breathless: a grizzly had been stalking the group, and every warning had gone unheard. The danger was real; the guide had silenced the only voice that could have protected them.

James urges the church to keep the “radio” of the heart on. “Let every person be swift to hear” (James 1:19). The same “word of truth” that brought us forth (James 1:18) must be heard daily for direction. Scripture calls believers to diligent attentiveness: “Be diligent… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Jesus presses the point: “Take care how you hear” (Luke 8:18) and “Pay attention to what you hear” (Mark 4:24). The Hebrew writer warns that neglect leads to drift and ruin (Hebrews 2:1–4). God’s word lights every step (Psalm 119:105). Self-control begins with a listening posture that treats Scripture as life-saving counsel.

Slow to Speak

James pairs swift hearing with restrained speech. The clay does not argue with the potter (Isaiah 45:9). Hearts grow stable when they stop striving against the Maker’s wisdom. Scripture records people who resisted the truth and stalled their own progress (2 Timothy 3:8). Others twisted the Scriptures and harmed themselves (2 Peter 3:16). Self-control closes the mouth before it opens the Bible to debate and opens the Bible to learn. Listening first forms a meek, teachable spirit.

Slow to Wrath

“Slow to wrath” completes the triad (James 1:19). Trials press every soul (James 1:2–4), yet anger cannot produce God’s righteousness (James 1:20). Resentment toward providence, irritation toward commandments, and hostility toward correction all darken judgment. Self-control steadies the heart, receives discipline as love, and yields a peaceful harvest.

Clearing the Ears and the Soil

James pictures moral buildup as spiritual earwax: “Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness” (James 1:21). Removal restores hearing. Paul speaks the same language—put to death earthly passions and put off the old ways of anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy talk, and lying (Colossians 3:5–10). When these obstructions are cleared, the word can take root. Jesus’ parable shows that receptive, honest soil bears fruit because it truly receives the seed (Luke 8:11–15).

Receiving the Implanted Word

“Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). The gospel saves those who receive it, stand in it, and hold it fast (1 Corinthians 15:1–2). Scripture teaches repentance unto life (Luke 13:3), confession that leads to salvation (Romans 10:9–10), and the new birth required for entrance into the kingdom (John 3:3,5). Self-control keeps the soul in a posture of reception—hearing carefully, submitting humbly, and obeying consistently—so the word continues its saving, shaping work.

The Importance of Self-Control Sermon Outline:

• Introduction (James 1:19–21)

  • Self-control begins with Scripture-formed habits: swift hearing, restrained speech, restrained anger.

• I. Swift to Hear

  • The word that birthed us now directs us (James 1:18–19).

  • Diligent handling of Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15).

  • Careful, reverent hearing commanded by Christ (Luke 8:18; Mark 4:24).

  • Neglect leads to drift (Hebrews 2:1–4); Scripture illumines the path (Psalm 119:105).

• II. Slow to Speak

  • The Potter’s wisdom governs the clay (Isaiah 45:9).

  • Resisting and twisting truth ruins the soul (2 Timothy 3:8; 2 Peter 3:16).

  • Teachability precedes transformation.

• III. Slow to Wrath

  • Human anger fails to produce God’s righteousness (James 1:20).

  • Trials are designed for maturity (James 1:2–4).

  • Self-control receives discipline as grace.

• IV. Lay Aside and Receive

  • Remove moral obstructions (James 1:21).

  • Put to death and put off the old life (Colossians 3:5–10).

  • Good soil receives and bears fruit (Luke 8:11–15).

• V. The Implanted Word and Salvation

  • Receive with meekness the saving word (James 1:21).

  • The gospel saves those who receive, stand, and hold fast (1 Corinthians 15:1–2).

  • Repentance, confession, and the new birth (Romans 10:9–10; John 3:3,5).

• Conclusion

  • A steady life grows from Scripture-shaped reflexes: hear quickly, speak carefully, restrain anger, clear obstructions, receive the word.

Call to Action

Open the Scriptures with a listening heart. Ask God to bridle your words and temper your reactions. Identify one obstruction to remove this week and one practice that deepens hearing—daily reading, meditation, or memorization. Receive the implanted word with meekness, stand in the gospel, and let a disciplined life display God’s righteousness.

Key Takeaways

• Self-control begins with swift hearing of God’s word (James 1:19).

• Careful hearing is commanded and guarded by diligence (2 Timothy 2:15; Luke 8:18; Mark 4:24).

• Human anger never achieves God’s righteous ends (James 1:20).

• Removing moral obstructions restores hearing and fruitfulness (James 1:21; Colossians 3:5–10; Luke 8:11–15).

• The implanted word saves those who receive and hold fast to it (1 Corinthians 15:1–2; Romans 10:9–10; John 3:3,5).

Scripture Reference List

• James 1:19–21 – Posture of self-control: swift hearing, restrained speech, restrained anger; receiving the implanted word.

• James 1:18; 1:2–4 – Born by the word of truth; trials mature faith.

• 2 Timothy 2:15 – Diligent handling of the word of truth.

• Luke 8:18; Mark 4:24 – Responsibility for careful hearing.

• Hebrews 2:1–4 – Heed the message to avoid drifting.

• Psalm 119:105 – Scripture as lamp and light.

• Isaiah 45:9 – The clay does not contend with the potter.

• 2 Timothy 3:8 – Resisting the truth stalls spiritual progress.

• 2 Peter 3:16 – Twisting Scripture brings destruction.

• Colossians 3:5–10 – Put to death and put off the old life.

• Luke 8:11–15 – Good soil receives the word and bears fruit.

• 1 Corinthians 15:1–2 – The gospel saves those who receive, stand, and hold fast.

• Romans 10:9–10 – Confession of faith and salvation.

• John 3:3,5 – New birth for entrance into the kingdom.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO