James tells us to avoid "worthless" religion: (v. 26) "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." This kind of religion is marked by an undisciplined tongue and self-deception. James speaks throughout this letter about the power (and danger) of the tongue. True faith is marked by having a "tight rein" on one's speech. James states that by neglecting one's tongue (or any action for that matter) and yet still considering oneself religious is an act of self-deception.
James tells us to emulate a "pure and faultless" religion: (v. 27) "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Purity refers to issues of the heart as well as the ritual cleanliness of objects. Faultless means that something is undefiled and not contaminated.
Application: We need to guard our hearts and to focus on the proper things.
Watching our speech: James uses an equestrian term to illustrate this point. It points to the fact that a large and powerful animal such as a horse can be controlled and moved by a simple device within the mouth. I was joking with the congregation that I love the feature within Gmail where you can "undo" a sent email even after you pressed "send." I can't tell you how many times that has probably saved me embarrassment and potential conflict. Unfortunately, we don't have an "undo" button when it comes to our speech. I know that I need to constantly be vigilant in regards to watching my speech, especially around my kids and wife. It is easy to say things in the heat of the moment that I end up regretting later.
Focusing on knowing and doing the right thing: James speaks both of being undefiled by the world as well as loving and caring for orphans and widows. I read this as a call to avoid sin and to administer grace. Sin is both found in the things we do (sins of commission) as well as the things that we don't do (sins of omission). I know that I spend a lot of my prayer times confessing the things that I know that I shouldn't do but less time praying for the strength to do the things I should do. I know that God wants my faith to be bigger than just be a good person. He wants to use me to administer grace to people who are in need and distress. There have already been moments this week where I can clearly see God putting people in my life that need His grace and I can feel Him prompting me to be that person who administers it to them.
Prayer: (I am fasting from the car radio til Easter) Lord, help me focus as I pray. Help me see those moments in the car to not just "pray" my requests to You but also to hear Your voice and sense Your leading during this season of Lent.
