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HE WHO IS RELIGIOUS. James 1:26-27. 08/25/2024. #07.
26 If anyone among you 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.
1. Religious hypocrisy
a. The word religion is used only five times in NT
a1. Three occurrences are in this passage
a2. Acts 26:5 Paul told King Agrippa that he was a very religious Pharisee (strict)
a3. In Col. 2:18 the word is translated worship where Paul warns the Colossians not to allow anyone to rob them of their reward via false humility and worshiping angels
b. Religion refers to the external practices of worshiping a deity (acts of service for a god)
c. Christian religious practice has nothing to do with ritual, ceremonies, or observing special days
a1. True religious practice is measured by character, caring, and purity
a2. Spiritual practice is to be a reflection of loving and serving God and others
d. James uses two examples of one who thinks he is religious, but really is not:
a1. One who uses corrupt speech (Eph. 4:29), gossip, cruelty, profanity, lying, rage,…
a2. One who ignores the needs of others
e. For the 2nd time James calls the hypocrite self-deceived (1:22)
a1. James 2 elaborates on this theme
a2. To profess faith, but live as the world is to bring shame on the Lord
2. The unbridled tongue
a. Matthew 12:34-37 the mouth speaks what is in the heart
a1. An evil heart can’t speak good things
a2. A true believer’s heart speaks holiness
b. A believer who acts like the world is useless (of no value; unprofitable, of no service)
a1. A professing believer who has no words of encouragement, wisdom, or edification is of no value to the hearers
a2. A false or carnal believer does damage to his own testimony and to the name of Christ (of no value to anyone)
c. A true believer controls his tongue
a1. He is not a gossip, brawler, accuser, purveyor of hate, malice, or profanity
a2. His words are measured, wholesome, kind, wise, encouraging, and holy
3. The pure
a. The pure helps those in need
a1. James 2 helps a brother in need
a2. Mt. 25 Jesus speaks of feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, visiting the imprisoned, and clothing the naked
a3. Philippians 2:3 Paul spoke of thinking on the things of others more than yourself
b. Purity is outward and not inward looking
a1. Speaks to how to help others
a2. Seeks to lift up those who need help
c. To be pure is to be unspotted with the world
a1. Unspotted (aspilos; Eng. word spoil) = unstained, undefiled, unblemished, etc.
a2. World = the world’s system (carnal, fallen)
d. The world’s system is corrupt and rebellious
a1. Jn. 17:11-16 we are to be in the world, but not of the world
a2. James 4:4 friendship with the world is being an enemy of God
a3. 1 Cor. 3 to be carnally-minded is to serve the flesh rather than Christ
e. 4 ways to stay unspotted from the world:
a1. Reject own cravings for worldly desires
a2. To seek God with all heart, mind, and soul
a3. Avoid those people and things that tempt you
a4. Focus on scripture and obedience to Word
Key passage: Matthew 12:34-3734 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”