January 21 Daily Devotional

Scripture for Day 21—James 1:20

²⁰ …the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.

Devotional:

In our day of email and websites and blogs and online discussion groups and who knows what else, there are veritable hurricanes of words purporting to promote truth and faithfulness flying this way and that. We do well to consider more specifically the point God makes in James 1:20. It may be helpful if I modernize some comments Thomas Manton (1620–1677) made on this verse in his commentary on James:

The worst thing that we can bring to a religious controversy is anger. The context speaks of anger occasioned by differences about the Word. Usually no affections are so outrageous as those which are engaged in the quarrel of religion. Why? Because that which should bridle the passion instead is made the fuel of it. That which should restrain undue heats and excesses instead engages them.

However, this should not be. Christianity, of all religions, is the meekest and most humble. It is founded upon the blood of Christ, who is a Lamb slain. It is consigned and sealed by the Spirit of Christ, who descended like a dove. Both are emblems of a meek and modest humility. And should a meek religion be defended by our violences? Should the God of peace be served with wrathful affections? Should the madness of an evil nature reveal itself in the best cause?

Christ's warfare does not need such carnal weapons. As Achish said, "Have I need of madmen?" (1 Sam. 21:15). Likewise, does Jesus Christ need our passions and furies? Does the God of heaven need a "tongue … set on fire by hell" (James 3:6)?

Michael the archangel was engaged in the best cause against the worst adversary, with Satan about the body of Moses; and yet the purity of his nature would not permit him to profane his engagement with any excess and indecency of passion—"he dared not bring against him a reviling accusation" (Jude 9 NKJV).

Moreover, as the wrath of man is unsuitable to the matters of God, so it is also prejudicial. When tongue is sharpened against tongue, and pen against pen, what follows? Nothing but mutual animosities and hatreds, whereby, if we gain anything of truth, we lose much of love and goodness.

Satan would gladly be even with God. The devil's kingdom is mostly ruined by the rage of his own instruments. You cannot gratify Satan more than when you wrong the truth by an unseemly defense of it. Why? Because then he seems to be on even terms with Christ, overturning his Kingdom by those who are engaged in defending it.

Briefly, then, if you would do good, use an appropriate means. The barking dog loses the prey. Violence and furious prosecution seldom benefit. They engage most successfully who use the hardest arguments and the softest words.^† Railings and revilings, on the other hand, as they are without love, so they are without profit. Be watchful. Our religious affections may often overthrow us.

^† Cornelius Van Til advocated that we be fortiter in res, suavitor in modo (strong in substance, gentle in manner). Likewise, Francis Schaeffer urged us "to speak the truth in love." Amen and Amen!

Click here for background on the author of Are You For Real?: Meditations in the Epistle of James for Secret or Family Worship.