I’m sure you have heard that old tale about the monk who won the award for having the most humility, and then had it taken away from him because he wore the medal. I used to laughingly state that I had more humility than anyone I knew. It took many years and far more miles before I realized that my keen sense of right spelled humility, “P-R-I-D-E!

The Apostle James deals with the pride thing in 1.19-21: ‘My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.’ I discovered that my life demonstrated the exact reverse of what God demanded.

What a shock it was to learn that my ear was very much slower than my tongue, and that God was not excited about my living that way while claiming that I served him. NO! He told me what James is telling us: ‘Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent.’ In a very brief but powerful word—JUST SHUT UP FOR AWHILE!

God knew he needed to use behavioral therapy on his servant, but his point was clear: If I continued along that path I would miss his will for my life. James concludes: ‘and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.’ Instead of nurturing what God was planting inside my heart, I was pulling out the seed of humility. I could end up without salvation at all! Oh, I have learned the message! SPEAK, LORD, YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING!