A Kinder Response
James 1:19-21 | August 9, 2026
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor – SCBC
1. HOW DO WE GET ENTRAPPED BY BITTERNESS?
- A. Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
B. The first step is anger.
C. The second step is clamor.
The word clamor means to complain, demand or gripe.
D. The third step is slander.
Slander is telling a lie or even a truth about someone with the intent of hurting or berating them.
E. The fourth step is bitterness, itself.
F. The fifth step is wrath.
G. The sixth step is malice.
2. WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF BITTERNESS?
B.It damages us spiritually.
- Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if you forgive not others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
C. It affects us emotionally.
3. HOW DO WE GROW A KINDER RESPONSE? (James 1:19)
A. First, be quick to hear.
1. Be quick to hear God’s Word on dealing with life’s circumstances.
- a. James 1:21 … humbly accept the Word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save (meaning to rescue) your souls.
- b. Romans 12:17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. (19) Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
- c. Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
2. Be quick to hear all the facts before making a judgment call.
- Proverbs 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.
3. Be quick to hear what someone is ACTUALLY saying.
B. Be slow to speak.
1. Keep a close check on your tongue.
a. Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
b. Biblically confront.
C. Be slow to anger.
- Proverbs 19:11 Aman's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.