Slow Down Against Temptation

James 1:19-20 

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Since we war against temptation in our nature that pulls us into sinful desires and ultimate actions, we need to begin with slowing down and listening before speaking in anger.  The temptation of pride can trip our walk with the Spirit by pulling us down into the world’s ways, of which we were all once citizens and whose habits still plague us with their reactions.  We are to fill ourselves with God’s word for direction and preparation instead as the next part of James will address.  These verses here give the warnings and direction for us when tempted so that we examine ourselves to counter the natural man’s sinful desires and reactions ready to surface.  If every perfect gift of grace comes from above (as it surely does), then we need to listen to our great God and Savior first and foremost.