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James 1:26-27 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. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

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A REAL CHRISTIAN

ARE YOU A REAL CHRISTIAN? A.If anyone among you thinks he is religious B.James points out that is possible to think you are religious or a Christian and not really be so. C.Four questions now from this text will help examine just how you are doing in demonstrating a true walk with Christ. D.There are many indicators but we will look at some of the ones that James mentions in this passage:

I. IS MY TONGUE UNDER CONTROL? A.James 1:26-27 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. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. B.My words reveal the content of my heart. - Matthew 12: Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." C.What’s in the well will come up in the bucket.

II. AM I DECEIVING MYSELF AND OTHERS? A.James 1:26-27 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. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. B.James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. C.Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. D.One of the problems with self-deception is that the self-deceived spread their deception to others.

III. AM I MEETING THE NEEDS OF THOSE AROUND ME? A.James 1:26-27 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. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. B.Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

III. AM I MEETING THE NEEDS OF THOSE AROUND ME? C.Titus 3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. D.1 John 3:17-18 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. E.The widow and the orphan or those who have been abandoned, left alone and in need of help and assistance.

IV. IS MY LIFE TRULY PURE? A.James 1:26-27 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. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. B.1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. C.Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

PURITY P urity in heart U nspotted from the world R edeemed by His blood I dentity in Christ T houghts controlled Y ielding always to His will

FOUR QUESTIONS? A.Certainly there are many other questions we could ask, but James gives us the truth that causes us to ask at least these four of ourselves. 1.Is my tongue under control? 2.Am I deceiving myself and others about my true self? 3.Am I meeting the needs of those around me? 4.Is my life truly pure? B.So, How are you doing?

TONIGHT’S SERMON GOD’S DIRECTION IN PROVERBS