Transcript Win Friends & Influence People

WIN FRIENDS &
INFLUENCE PEOPLE
James 1:19-20
Study on James
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We continue our journey into the book of
James
We have studied on trials, temptations,
wisdom, blessings, faith, and prayer
James continues to bless us with practical
knowledge for us to live the life that God
wants us to live in this world
Study on James
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James begins to switch gears here from
what God has done to what is required
of us as His people
Here we begin to take notice of what
things can help us in our Christian walk
What James speaks of next is not just for
the trials of life, but for life as a whole
Study on James
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1. Swift to hear
 Communication
has long been thought of as
the cornerstone of any good relationship
 Whether
it’s a marriage or simply a
friendship, communication is vital to it’s
success
 So
it’s no surprise here that we are told to be
swift to hear
Study on James
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1. Swift to hear
 It’s
been said that God gave man two ears
for a reason
 How
many of us can say we listen twice as
much as we talk?
 Most
everyone needs to work on their
listening skills
Study on James
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1. Swift to hear
 We
need to work on listening to God
 How
many people “listen to God” but really
only listen for what they want to hear?
 “A
wise man will hear and increase
learning…” (Prov. 1:5)
 “Hear
instruction and be wise” (Prov. 8:33)
Study on James
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1. Swift to hear
 “Blessed
is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates, waiting at the
posts of my doors.” (v. 34)
 “Walk
prudently when you go to the house
of God; and draw near to hear rather than
to give the sacrifice of fools…” (Ecc. 5:1)
Study on James
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1. Swift to hear
 “…for
all the people were hanging on His
words” (Lk. 19:48)
 The
early church devoted themselves to “the
apostles doctrine” (Acts 2:42)
 The
Bereans “received the word with all
readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily”
(Acts 17:11)
Study on James
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1. Swift to hear
 “He
who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
(Matt. 11:15)
 We
need to concentrate on listening,
especially when it comes to the word of God
 We
also need to be good listeners when it
comes to others
Study on James
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1. Swift to hear
 We
should “hear” others when they try to
talk to us about sins that we might be guilty
of (Matt. 18:15-17)
 If
we want God to listen to us, shouldn’t we
be willing to listen to others?
A
great resolution would be to become a
better listener!
Study on James
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2. Slow to speak
 There
is probably not a person here who
hasn’t said something before they wish they
could take back
 James
later says if anyone does not stumble
in word he is a “perfect man” (3:2)
 Being
slow to speak simply means talking less
and thinking about what we say
Study on James
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2. Slow to speak
 Solomon
went on to say “Do not be rash with
your mouth, and let not your heart utter
anything hastily before God” (Ecc. 5:2)
 “In
the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
but he who restrains his lips is wise”
(Prov. 10:19)
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2. Slow to speak
 “He
who guards his mouth preserves his life,
but he who opens wide his lips shall have
destruction” (Prov. 13:3)
 “He
who has knowledge spares his words”
(Prov. 17:27)
 When
we aren’t slow to speak, it probably
points to one thing…
Study on James
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2. Slow to speak
 “Do
not be wise in your own opinion”
(Rom. 12:16)
 We
like talking because we want people to
hear how much we know
A
dose of humility can go a long way in
helping us be slow to speak
Study on James
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3. Slow to wrath
 Anger
is probably more prevalent in our lives
than we realize
 There
are certain things or people that just
seem to “push our buttons”
 Perhaps
we are quick to wrath because we
are not quick to hear
Study on James
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3. Slow to wrath
 “A
quick-tempered man acts foolishly”
(Prov. 14:17)
 “He
who is slow to wrath has great
understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts
folly” (Prov. 14:29)
 “He
who is slow to anger is better than the
mighty” (Prov. 16:32)
Study on James
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3. Slow to wrath
 Self-control
is important if we are going to
keep from being angry
 One
of the works of the flesh is “outbursts of
wrath” (Gal. 5:20)
 We
must learn to love…love God first, but
love others and see them as God’s creation
Study on James
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3. Slow to wrath
 “Let
all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and
evil speaking be put away from you, with all
malice” (Eph. 4:31)
 “But
now you yourselves are to put off all
these: anger, wrath, malice…” (Col. 3:8)
 “the
wrath of man does not produce the
righteousness of God”