Worthless Religion

Among my favorite things to explore when we travel are old cathedrals. I love their beauty, their history, and the many ways they reflect Biblical truths in their design. During our recent time in Scotland, my husband and I saw a small, old church that was for sale. On the outside, it appeared to be a beautiful refuge to worship, but the doors were locked. It was empty, long abandoned. No people. No one preaching the Gospel.

As we come to the end of chapter 1, James continues to expound on genuine faith that is lived out. Verses 26 and 27 not only conclude chapter 1, but they introduce chapter 2. James lays out concrete examples of hearing and doing the Word. Hearing and doing that comes from a pure heart and isn’t just an external facade.

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.[1]

James 1:26-27

James continues his warning not to be deceived: “If anyone thinks he is religions and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart…” (emphasis added). We fool ourselves, we may fool others, but we are not fooling God. We are blind to the true condition of our faith, and we are cheating ourselves out of spiritual growth and intimate relationship with God.

James compares worthless religion (vs 26) and pure and undefiled religion (vs 27) using three specific examples, but first, let’s look at how James uses the word religion. In verse 26, James uses religious in a way that refers to ceremonial public worship not an internal godliness. It is religion that is a show or a sham. It is not the genuine faith of verses 2-4. In James’ day, the Pharisees exemplified this use of religious. Jesus addressed the Pharisees with hard words: 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” [2] (Matthew 23:27-28). This type of religion is worthless. It professes faith, but if our works don’t match, then our professed faith is devoid of purpose and impact that is pleasing to God.

In contrast, James explains a “pure and undefiled religion.” “James picks two synonymous adjectives to define the most spotless kind of religious faith—that which is measured by compassionate love.” [3] James’ examples are not meant to be a comprehensive definition, but rather to show us in the three examples that pure and undefiled religion is not hypocritical, selfish, or inconsistent. Pure and undefiled religion reveals itself in concrete deeds of love and righteousness. It reflects God’s character.

Now let’s examine James three examples – bridling the tongue, caring for orphans and widows, and keeping oneself unstained. The first is presented in the negative: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue…” (vs 26). To bridle is to control or keep a tight rein. James addresses the use of the tongue many times in his letter (1:13-14; 2:3-4, 16, 18; 3:9; 4:11, 13). In chapter 3, James writes that the tongue is like a bit in the mouth of the horse or the rudder on a ship – a small instrument that steers the course of the much larger horse or ship. Likewise, controlling our tongues is evidence of genuine faith, a pure and undefiled religion.

Second, visiting orphans and widows in their affliction is evidence of pure and undefiled religion. Orphans and widows represented those who were particularly needy or helpless. They were defenseless, poor, and exploited. They were unable to reciprocate the meeting of their physical needs. This meant that love shown to orphans and widows would be pure and sacrificial, knowing you would not be repaid in kind.

Caring for orphans and widows reflected God’s heart and character (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 9:18; 68:5; 146:9) and was a command to Israel (Deuteronomy 14:29). God protected orphans and widows. It isn’t that God loves orphans and widows more than anyone else, but they represent the helpless, those that are poor in spirit and recognize their need especially their need for God’s help. “We should care for widows and orphans, thereby living out the gospel principle of adoption of the needy.”[4] Jesus had compassion for the orphan, the widow, the helpless, the needy.

Third, keeping oneself unstained from the world is evidence of pure and undefiled religion. The world refers to a secular worldview, a system of thinking and acting that is unbiblical or even actively anti-biblical (Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 2:8). James declares later that friendship with the world is enmity with God (4:4). We are not to hide from the world, but we should purpose not to be corrupted by the world.

We can pray that God would help us see the worldly things that are corrupting us. We need to be willing to lay aside those things that are hindering our spiritual growth. We need to prayerfully consider the things we watch and listen to, the people we spend time with, and the activities we pursue. In addition to putting off things of the world that corrupt us, we set our minds on things above. We pursue the things of God. We fill our minds and hearts with God’s Word. We do what God commands in His Word. We do what reflects God’s character and brings Him glory. We do what shows love for God and love for others.

To sum up at statement by Daniel Doriani: pure religion = a pure heart + pure actions. Jesus is the only one who had a pure heart and pure actions. He suffered and died in our place, rising again that we might have His perfect record of a pure heart and pure actions. We can be hearers and doers of the Word, living out genuine faith because Jesus did it perfectly in our place.

Reflection

1. What is a specific way you need to bridle your tongue? How can you use your tongue to encourage and build up instead?

2. Who in your life might be helpless, defenseless, poor, or exploited? How can you care for them?

3. What in your life is a source of corruption? As you put this off, what godly mindset and/or action can you put on in its place?

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jas 1:26–27. [2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 23:27–28. [3] John MacArthur, James Guidelines For a Happy Christian Life (Nashville, TN: Nelson Books, 2007). [4] Daniel M. Doriani, James, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007), 59.