James 1:26-27

Do you consider yourself to be a religious person? What exactly does that mean when someone says they are religious? Is it defined as checking a box on a form that we may fill out for work, census, surveys, etc?

There are many ideas that people have regarding what it means to be religious Some say it means going to church on Sundays Some say being religious means wearing religious symbols (cross, tattoo of Jesus) Some say it’s in the way you talk (saying “God bless you”)

It’s possible to do these things, and yet still not be a “religious” person How we define being “religious” and how God defines it is different James tells us how we may know that we are religious, and it has nothing to do with what most people think

1. Your opinion doesn’t matter “If anyone among you thinks he is religious…” There are many who think in their own minds that they are religious They may be sincere, yet be sincerely wrong

1. Your opinion doesn’t matter “Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Rom. 12:16) What matters is the truth of God’s word “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17)

1. Your opinion doesn’t matter True wisdom is found in the word of God (Jam. 3:17-18) James is basically telling us that we can throw our ideas on what it means to be religious out the window He tells us what it really means…

2. The “religious” control their tongue “…and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” I’ve heard many stories about Christians who have disappointed others with their tongues

2. The “religious” control their tongue If there is one thing that gives away who we belong to it’s the words we speak James 3:1-12 – A “religious” tongue cannot spew forth cursing, gossip, etc. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34)

2. The “religious” control their tongue We deceive ourselves if we think we are religious and yet do not bridle our tongue James says our religion is “useless” (empty or profitless) Our speech should impart grace (Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6)

3. The “religious” care for the needy James wants us to know what religion means in a pure and undefiled sense That means there is no one or no thing that will taint the meaning of it Notice that true religion is outward focused, not inward

3. The “religious” care for the needy We are to be servants to others just as Christ was (Matt. 20:28) Why did God chose widows & the fatherless to be ministered to? God has always been one who looks after those who are needful

3. The “religious” care for the needy “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation” (Ps. 68:5) “He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow” (Deut. 10:18) These women & children have lost the heads of their homes (Eph. 5:23; 6:1-4)

3. The “religious” care for the needy They need help and support Where should they get it from? It should come from those inside the body of Christ (Matt. 25:34-46; Gal. 6:10; I Jn. 3:17-18) Are we doing this?

4. The “religious” remain unspotted “to keep oneself unspotted from the world” One of our main objectives as Christians is to mold ourselves into the image of God We are constantly told to become more like God (I Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1; I Tim. 6:11)

4. The “religious” remain unspotted Paul told us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed (Rom. 12:2) That transformation is becoming more like God, which will have us less like the world

4. The “religious” remain unspotted The bottom line is that people need to see that you are different and then they will recognize that you are religious by default If we are like the world in the way we speak, act, or treat others, then that self-professed religion is no good