“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.”
James 1:26-27 ESV.
In the Gospel of Luke Jesus told a parable about two people who went to the Temple to pray. The first, of whom I’m most interested today, was the Pharisee. The next was a tax collector. Standing alone, the Pharisee prayed in this manner: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get” (Luke 18:11b-12 ESV).
Sometimes we get caught up in ourselves. We think we’re tracking well. You might be running community events. You might even run your own business. You might be serving your local church regularly. You might be an elder, even a pastor, at a local church. Certainly, this Pharisee thought he was pretty good. But at the end of the parable, Jesus says this man missed the mark:
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:14b ESV.
When we don’t contain our tongue, it shows a lack of self-control. Perhaps even pride. We can be doing all the right things but still miss the entire point of the Gospel.
We’re not human doings.
We’re human beings.
If what we’re doing isn’t done for the right reasons, it, ultimately, is worthless. In the passage today, James mentions that undefiled religion is this: “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
How do we do that?
By controlling the tongue. Through remaining humble.
Returning to the parable earlier, I love how Jesus contrasts the Pharisee by using a tax collector. The tax collector prayed in this way: “Standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” And he was justified. It’s all about a humble posture before God.
For your week ahead, keep the following verse running through your mind. Memorise it if you can! See what difference God will make in your week as you focus on these words:
“He has told you, O man, what is good;
Micah 6:8 NASB.
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?”
God bless.
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