First that the tongue is a good indication of the presence or absence of True Faith. The tongue has the ability to bless and to curse. Later on in the Book of James, James says, "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."
Second builds upon the truth that those who possess true faith are more than listeners - they are doers. Let's dive in and see what God has to say about the tongue, our actions (caring for the orphans and widows) and our responsibility (keep ourselves from worldliness.)
SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO BIBLE STUDY
TYPE BIBLE PASSAGE - James 1:26-27 "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
READ AND MEDITATE -Read the passage three times praying for the Holy spirit to interpret God's Word to you.
GIVE IT A TITLE - True Faith
WHO DOES IT INVOLVE -As we look back at James 1:19 we remember James is writing to those he calls dear brothers and sisters and ultimately you and me as God inspired James to write His message to His kids.
GIVE IT A TITLE - True Faith
WHO DOES IT INVOLVE -As we look back at James 1:19 we remember James is writing to those he calls dear brothers and sisters and ultimately you and me as God inspired James to write His message to His kids.
PARAPHRASE THE PASSAGE - PUT INTO YOUR OWN WORDS -There are those who think they are religious yet their tongues, which are out of control, reveal they are not. They deceive themselves if they think they are living the Christian life while ripping up with their tongues - their religion is absolutely worthless. So, besides reigning in our tongues what is true religion? James says it is looking after orphans and widows in their time of need and also keeping yourself from the pollution of the world.
APPLICATION - PERSONALIZE IT - The main theme of verse 26 is about taming the tongue. In order to get a good picture of why God considers control of the tongue to be evidence of true faith I went on a search for other verses that talk about our tongue.
No Corrupt Talk - Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Eph. 4:20
Hold it - Stay out of trouble - Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble Proverbs 21:23
Impulse Verses Wisdom - There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
Evil and Deceit - Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Psalm 34:13
Tree of Life - A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
There are many more references about the tongue .. for further research go to OPEN BIBLE INFO
COMMENTARY - CONSULT RELIABLE BIBLE SCHOLAR - I am utilizing John MacArthurs Commentary of the Book of James. John ties the previous teachings to this weeks by seeing this weeks
lesson as the third test of a true believer. The first in vs. 2-12 The Believers response to trials. The second in vs. 13-18 The believers response to temptation and this weeks which is the beginning of the section he titled the believers response to the truth revealed in the word in vs. 19-27.
John points out that not only is it important to receive God's word and act upon it .. but its important to know that if one hears but refuses to do anything about what he is hearing it becomes further judgement against the hearer.
When we hear God's word our attitude must be submission and further obedience. A mark of a true believer is that when he hears the word - it is not only followed with a momentary feeling of compliance or commitment but the word changes the believer followed by long term obedience.
The tongue as we have noted is a revealer of the heart. Though Church attenders may all look the same when you first meet them; they attend church services, activities, say prayers, have the right theology and even volunteer ... eventually their tongue will give them away.
The person who trusts in those outward things sooner or later will expose his faithlessness with his mouth because he does not have the inner power to bridle his tongue. Trusting in those outward acts to please God and receive His blessing are deceptive and worthless. It is the heart God looks. A corrupt and unholy heart eventually will be exposed by corrupt and unholy speech.
Jesus told the self-righteous Pharisees, "The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart ... for by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned" Matt. 12:34, 37 Religion that does not transform the heart and thereby the tongue is totally worthless in God's sight.
Those who are true believers apply the word without selfishness. A willingness to apply with genuine concern for the welfare of others, especially those in great need .. widows and orphans .. springs from the motivation of love and compassion ... Jesus said "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
When we hear God's word our attitude must be submission and further obedience. A mark of a true believer is that when he hears the word - it is not only followed with a momentary feeling of compliance or commitment but the word changes the believer followed by long term obedience.
The tongue as we have noted is a revealer of the heart. Though Church attenders may all look the same when you first meet them; they attend church services, activities, say prayers, have the right theology and even volunteer ... eventually their tongue will give them away.
The person who trusts in those outward things sooner or later will expose his faithlessness with his mouth because he does not have the inner power to bridle his tongue. Trusting in those outward acts to please God and receive His blessing are deceptive and worthless. It is the heart God looks. A corrupt and unholy heart eventually will be exposed by corrupt and unholy speech.
Jesus told the self-righteous Pharisees, "The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart ... for by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned" Matt. 12:34, 37 Religion that does not transform the heart and thereby the tongue is totally worthless in God's sight.
Those who are true believers apply the word without selfishness. A willingness to apply with genuine concern for the welfare of others, especially those in great need .. widows and orphans .. springs from the motivation of love and compassion ... Jesus said "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
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