Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign.
[00:00:10] Welcome back to another edition of the Weekday Podcast. This is Bobby, and I'm looking forward to this week together as we think about how do you handle conflict? Because as we mentioned in an episode last week, we mentioned that conflict is inevitable, but combat, that's actually a choice. And today I want you to think about your response when things happen in your life. Because if we're honest, when someone offends you, what's your first instinct? Do you rehearse the perfect comeback in your head? Do you fire off a passive aggressive text? Do you vent to a friend or maybe even your dog? Do you write a long, dramatic paragraph that you never send, but you hope secretly that maybe they'll read your mind? Yeah, I've done those things too. But James, the half brother of Jesus, gives us a completely different approach. In James 1, 1920, he writes this. You know, my beloved brethren, but everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. And the anger of man, or for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Not simple when he says it, but it's not easy. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry. Why? Because your gut reaction might not produce God's results. And that's what I mean. In today's title, how you respond, it matters more than how right you are.
[00:01:21] We live in a world obsessed with being right. But James reminds us that being right is not the win. Being righteous is the win. And there's a difference. You can win an argument and still lose that relationship. You can prove your point and miss God's purpose. You can have a mic drop moment but still grieve the spirit of God. So there's a lot of wisdom to have a slow response. When James writes this, he's writing to Jewish Christians who are facing all kinds of tension. There's the internal conflict at external persecution, rapid cultural change. It sounds like our world. And so his words are like relational CPR for people on the edge of relational breakdown. He says the righteous life isn't marked by volume or dominance. It's actually marked by restraint. In the original language of Greek, that word slow carries this idea of deliberate hear, this deliberate hesitation. In other words, it's not passive, it's being wise. It's choosing to pause instead of choosing to pounce. Because when you slow down, your emotions often settle, your thoughts often get clearer, and your words, they actually become safer. This is not weakness. It's actual spiritual maturity. Now, we've all seen that, that bomb tech in a movie that's trying to cut the right wire. Now, they don't rush. They don't yell. They don't start sniff, you know, snipping blindly while saying, let's just see what happens. No, instead, they go slow. They sweat. They breathe deeply. They ask for silence. Why?
[00:02:48] Because they know that one wrong move can cause an explosion. And that's what James is describing. That when conflict arises, your words can be like those wires. One can bring peace while the other detonates damage. So wisdom pauses before speaking because peace is more important than power.
[00:03:06] So how do you apply this today or this week? Here's the challenge. Before you respond to something that frustrates you, pause for three seconds, and I mean it. Like, count to three. And in those three seconds, you might choose to. One, breathe in the spirit.
[00:03:21] Two, ask God to help you hear the real issue. And three, choose humility over heat. And I believe that you'll be amazed what a holy pause can do. A gentle answer might open a door. Calm tone might change the outcome. And a little patience, it might protect your peace. And that's why I think this really matters. This doesn't mean being a doormat. It doesn't mean ignoring injustice or pretending that everything is okay. But what it does mean is that you care more about restoration than retaliation, that you care more about connection than control. And you trust God enough to pause before acting in pride. What I found is that slowing down gives God space to work.
[00:04:05] So maybe someone's hurt you recently. Maybe you're still steaming about something that happened long ago. Maybe you've already had an argument in your head five times.
[00:04:14] I would encourage you to pause, pray, respond, don't react.
[00:04:19] Jesus is gentle and lowly in heart, and he invites you to follow him in that. So today, don't let anger get the lead. Do not let love be put on the back burner. Instead, let love lead. Let listening lead. And watch how peace starts to grow, even in the most surprising places. Now, it's true, you cannot control their reaction, but you can control your response. Let's give it a try today. Have a great day. We'll see you back here soon.
