James 1:19-20 - Conviction Without Anger

Who has the wheel?

I was recently talking with my predecessor as the local hospice chaplain. He is a retired pastor who has faithfully served Christ in a variety of ways: in different positions; in different denominations.

We have both seen how individual congregations as well as whole denominations can fall into quarreling that damages not mere organizations, but tears apart relationships in the worldwide church, identified in the Bible as the Body of Christ.

We've both observed that disagreements often boil down to one party or another doesn't want to give up control. He told me his approach in three simple words:

Conviction without anger.

Some people act as if they are not being true to their own convictions unless they get angry with those who disagree with them. Or that true conviction justifies anger. Or that anger substantiates a conviction.

James wrote:
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." (James 1:19, New Living Translation, 2015)

He is tacitly saying that there is a time to speak, even a time to get angry. But don't be quick to say that your anger is "righteous indignation" and give vent to it merely because you're upset, even when you think it's justified.

James goes on to conclude: "Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." (v.20) He challenges us to ask, "Is this my anger, or God's anger? Am I wanting myself to be in control, or God?"

Father in heaven, 
I don't know everything. Simply getting mad doesn't accomplish anything good--certainly not the righteousness You look for.
Give me the patience and longsuffering to be slow to speak, and slow to get angry... to let You be in control; to let you take the wheel.
In Jesus' name, Amen.