James 1:26–27 (ESV) —
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
NOTE: Usually, "religion" is not a word that I like. It perverts true faith because it seems focused on externalities and not on the heart. The first religion in the world was when Adam told Eve to "not touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or she would die." God did not say anything about touching, only eating the fruit. Adam added to God's word in the same way religion adds externalities to truth, sometimes obscuring truth.
There are two words used here; for religious (threskos) and religion (threskeia). The first word means fearing or worshipping God, and to tremble. The second word means religious worship, especially the external, ceremonies and religious discipline.
James does not focus on the external, but on actions that express the internal heart of a person. Jesus himself said that it is not what goes into the stomach but what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man. Bridling the tongue means to keep it in check. It means to be careful what you say (and type). Visiting orphans and widows shows love not compulsion. There is nothing that orphans and widows can give. Keeping oneself unstained from the world is staying true to the word of God and not following the corrupting culture of the world.
PONDER:
- Does my faith consist of externalities, or is it a hidden change that has come within my heart?
PRAYER: Father, sometimes I wonder if I do bridle my tongue (or at least my e-mail responses). Forgive me for reacting and praying or waiting to respond. Give me grace and mercy that the things I say are not taken in the wrong spirit and hurt or offend another. Have mercy I pray.
No comments:
Post a Comment