Worthless Religion

As I write to you today I am in the book of James.  This is the second time in a year I have made my way through the book of James.  It can be an extremely difficult book to study, but so needed for everyday life. I think James would have been one of my favorite preachers.  He simply tells you how it is, and then tells you exactly what to do.  Today I would like to challenge you with a bold statement " if we can't control our attitude and tongue- our religion is worthless".  You may not agree, but let's look at a few things James has to say.

James 3:9- 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.  

When it refers to cursing it simple means condemning another person in some manner. If you notice he says "who are created in God's likeness".  So basically when you condemn someone you are in essence condemning Christ's creation.  Now when we think about it in this light it should cause us to cringe. He goes on to say can both fresh and salt water flow from the same spring?  The answer is of course not, however two different speeches flow freely from our mouths almost daily.  In one moment we are talking about God's mercy and grace, then in the next we demean someone which expends neither mercy or grace.  What if an obese person tried to tell you how to lose weight, or a current smoker was trying to convince you why you should stop smoking, or a drug addict was trying to tell you how to quit taking drugs, would you listen?  What if a pastor was teaching on forgiveness, and you knew he had not forgiven someone?  What if a Dr. wanted to administer a drug to you, but refused to give it to his family?  Would you take it?  What would be your response?  You would probably not be inclined to listen to any of these people because they gave you no indication they were taking their own advice. The point is that if we profess Christ as Lord of our life, and repeatedly use our mouth for negative and hurtful words, we have lost our testimony for Christ.  This includes Sarcasm. I am not talking about joking with your friends sarcasm, but the derogatory tone people use when they don't like something, but won't really come out and say it.  It seems the older I get, the more I despise it.  If someone has something to say about something I am doing just shoot it to me straight. Sarcasm has become such a problem for some people. They can no longer communicate because it rolls out of their mouth without a thought of who it might hurt.  Can I just say there is nothing Christ like in sarcasm. It is simply people satisfying their self with digs at other people's expense.  What can happen over time is no one wants to communicate with these people because the effort seems pointless.  The Bible states, "where you have bitterness and anger, there you will also find disorder and every evil practice." James is describing this arrogant and bitter wisdom in its effects. The most notable thing about it is that it issues disorder. That is to say, instead of bringing people together, it drives them apart. Instead of producing peace, it produces strife.

Our body language and tone can also be a disruption in communicating Christ's love to others.  Ever heard the statement it's not what you say, but how you say it?  I have only heard it about a million times in my childhood.  However, I have seen over the years it is true.  I have watched people make others feel incompetent, or invaluable just by the condescending tone they used with them.  We never have the right, even if we are the boss, to degrade someone whether in private or public.  There is always a way to communicate without belittling someone. 

What does our speech reveal about us? What kind of impact does our speech have on other people? Our words have a tremendous impact. It's important that we learn to communicate with wisdom and purity. We must keep in mind that our speech can serve as a reflection of our relationship with Christ. What if your speech for the past week was on display.  What would your speech say about you, and your relationship with Christ?  Would it say that your lips praise God, but your heart is far from Him, or that you have only allowed beneficial things for edification to escape your lips? So I tell you again, if we cannot control our tongue- our religion is worthless, because no one will listen. 

I hope to make the following scriptures a memorization exercise for myself. As you will see there is a lot of scripture pertaining to the mouth, so it I know God values good, wholesome conversation.

Matthew 15:8 
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Ephesians 4:29 
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.


Psalm 19:14 
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 34:12-13 
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

Psalm 37:30 
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.

Psalm 39:1 
I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."

Psalm 40:10 
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

Psalm 55:21 
His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

Psalm 64:2-3 
Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.

Psalm 119:172 
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.

Psalm 139:4 
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

Proverbs 8:13 
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 10:18-20 
He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Proverbs 10:20-21 
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

Proverbs 10:31-32 
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

Proverbs 11:12-13 
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Proverbs 12:6 
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Proverbs 12:22 
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.

Proverbs 12:17-19 
A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 12:25 
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 15:1-2 
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

Proverbs 15:4 
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:28 
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

Proverbs 16:13 
Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.

Proverbs 16:24 
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:21 
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction

Proverbs 16:27-28 
A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 17:4 
A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.

Proverbs 17:20 
A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

Proverbs 17:28 
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Proverbs 18:13 
He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame.

Proverbs 18:20-21 
From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 21:23 
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

Proverbs 22:11 
He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.

Proverbs 25:11-12 
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

Proverbs 26:24-25 
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.

Proverbs 28:23 
He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.

Ecclesiastes 5:2-4 
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words. When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

Isaiah 50:4 
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

Matthew 5:22 
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother

Matthew 15:8 
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

1 Corinthians 2:13 
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

2 Corinthians 8:7 
But just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Ephesians 4:15 
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Ephesians 4:25 
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Ephesians 4:26 
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

Ephesians 4:29 
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 5:19 
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

Colossians 4:6 
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 3:8 
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Colossians 3:16 
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Timothy 4:12 
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Titus 2:7-8 
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

James 1:19-20 
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

James 1:26 
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

James 3:5 
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

James 3:6 
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
1 Peter 3:9-11 
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

1 John 3:18 
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Source: 
Holy Bible, New International Version

Will we always have this problem?  James 3:7 "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.". The only hope we have is in walking by the spirit. Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips". 

One of the hardest things for me in James is 3:1. "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  Those of us who have accepted the call to teach or preach have little room for error.