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"If anyone among you thinks he is religious..."

Text: James 1:26

BEING RELIGIOUS

What does it mean to be religious? The following things are often associated with being “religious”.

1. To attend church regularly.

2. To participate in religious events/ festivals (Christmas, Easter).

3. To keep up with religious expectations.

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

While the above may pass muster in a very general way, James offers a different perspective.

“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.”
James 1:26

1. “If anyone among you thinks he is religious”

a) There were some people who thought themselves “religious”.

b) The word “thinks” may be translated as one “who deems himself religious”.

c) In his own mind, he has convinced himself that he is a religious person.

2. “And does not bridle his tongue”

a) In outward appearance, this man may be keeping religious obligations.

b) The Pharisees in the days of the Lord Jesus kept up with many religious observances.

c) But if the so-called religious person does not “bridle his tongue”:

i) If he slanders people.

ii) If he backbites.

iii) If his tongue is full of cursing.

3. “But deceives his own heart”

a) He does not examine his own heart much.

b) He does not deal with an unbridled tongue.

c) He has deceived himself into thinking that he is nevertheless “religious”.

4. “This one’s religion is useless”

a) James describes this kind of “religion” as useless.

b) The word “useless” may also be rendered “futile”.

c) James is not impressed with mere verbal declarations of being “religious”.