james 1:26-27

[clark thompson]

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James 1:26-27

New King James Version (NKJV)


 
26 If anyone among you[a] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world

James 1:26-27

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)


 
26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.


                                                                  these are my thoughts please share yours
26-27 If we can not watch what we say or how we say things as believers it will hurt our witness. If we have no concren about controling what we say we may have to look if we are Christ followers or christians. Christianity is not meant to be just another religion but it is meant to be a realonship with God. If we love Him we are to keep His comandments including being a light into the world. How effect is a light if is not shining in darkness? It is not effective at all this can be our witness if we do not bridle our tongue and watch what we say.
    This week at church somebody hit a little boy who we pick up for church on the van with his truck passing thru the parking lot, it was right to get upset but we still had t show love both to the little boy and the man who hit him. The man was willing to do what was right so, I did not feel any need myself to talk down to him for making this big mistake. The point of this is at times we may be upset and angry about what goes on or happens but we don't need to stop acting like Christians when bad things happen.

                                      It is far better to be a servant to the King than to be a king in hell

[Zant Law]

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In Acts 17:22 paul called the Men of Athens "very religious in all respects." Are there any alarms going off in your head? The men of Athens worship many gods including the unknown god. So why would Paul be calling them religious in all respects? The answer is in the definition of religious.

In the King James version the word religious is translated to superstitious. Also we see that in Strongs numbers the word religion can be translated to mean, "that which consist of ceremonies." Were the Pharisees religious, where the priest of Baal religious? YES.

James 1:26 NAS
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

Acts 26:5 NAS
since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.

Paul here is testifying to the fallacy of the man-made religion he once practice as a Pharisee. What James is telling us is that the true religion come from love and results in the fruit of the heart, taking care of the needy, as the Scriptures teach us loving your neighbor as thyself.

Mark 12:33 NIRV
To love God with all your heart and mind and strength is very important. So is loving your neighbor as you love yourself. These things are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

 Let me ask you this, can you love your neighbor and at the same time verbally berate him, or verbally slander him?  The tongue is a very sharp sword and should be kept in its sheath and should only be brought out to maintain peace. This sword should only be used against your enemies, not against your neighbors who you love. Let the word of God replace the sword of the tongue. For the Scriptures tell us that the sword of the Holy Spirit is the Word.

Ephesians 6:17 KJV
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

[clark thompson]

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Exactly if we have a relationship with Jesus He can give us the power to control what we say. If we only have the chrisitian religion we will not have as much of change on the inside maybe on the outside though. When we have a relationship with Jesus there will come a time not only do we stop tearing people down with our words but we will stop judging people in our hearts as well. Scripture does say What is in the heart comes out of the mouth. So for us to stop saying negitive things we will in time have to stop thinking them as well.