James 1:26-27

Introduction

James 1:19–27 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 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.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue -

But deceives his heart -

This person’s religion is useless -

Psalm 39:1 ESV

1 I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

Psalm 34:13 ESV

13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Psalm 141:3 ESV

3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

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 -

1 John 5:18 ESV

18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.