notes

Main point summary

Religion worthy of God must include keeping a guard on our mouth and serving those in need.

Discourse**

editing

NT

James 1:26-27

esv

mine

If anyone thinks he is religious

If a person considers himself/herself to be 'religious,' (one who follows God).

q and does not bridle his tongue

and does not keep a careful guard on what he/she says

but deceives his heart,

You are deceived if you do not to keep a careful guard on your tongue and think you are religious.

negativepositive

ideaexplanation

this person’s r religion is worthless.

'Carelessness-with-words' and 'being truly religious' cannot coexist, therefore if you are careless with words, your religion is not worthy before God.

conditional

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father,

Religion that is worthy before God,

is this: s to visit t orphans and widows in their affliction,

is to care for those in need, such as widows and orphans,

and u to keep oneself v unstained from the world.

and to resist the sinful habits, patterns and actions of popular culture (the world.)

series

discourse

Notes

How much thought and energy do I put into guarding my tongue each day? Lord, help me not to discredit my witness of your glorious gospel with a careless tongue. Before I speak, help me to ask: Is it true? Is it appropriate to say now? Will it build Your kingdom? Why do I want to say it? Lord Jesus, I want to do your will. Make me desire that above my own comfort. Toward that end, what needs can I meet today? In what ways am I allowing myself to be 'stained' by the world? What am I watching that encourages me to covet more ? What am I watching or listening to that hardens my heart to the pain of others? What am I doing that distracts me from doing what You have called me to do?