Fruits of True Religion

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 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 form the world." (James 1:26-27, ESV)

James expressed himself strongly on matters of practical religion, or living out one's faith with deeds of compassion, a genuine character, and unstained living. He warned that a Christian should "bridle his tongue." Later in his letter he has much more to say about the importance of this "small member," the tongue. James wanted his readers and hearers to understand that words can quickly destroy any Christian's witness. The tongue, by what it says, reveals what is in the heart. James, the good Jew, would have known and practiced the precept from Proverbs 4:23: "Keep they heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Hypocrisy should have no foothold in the life of a Christian. "Religious observance" is the outward expression of what is in the heart and is revealed in how the Christian talks, how compassionate he is toward others, and how he conducts his life with purity.

In the time of James, especially with persecution of Christians, the widows and orphans suffered greatly. The Christian whose religion is "pure and undefiled" will practice care for the unfortunate ones of society. If a husband died and left children in that society, the widow and orphans were often at the mercy of whoever would step in and give them physical aid, food, shelter and clothing. There was a great need then-which continues to this day-to show genuine compassion and love for these unfortunate. "Visiting" them implied more than a social call. It meant that the situation would be appraised and help would come from the Christian community. Practical love and sympathy would show itself in actions to alleviate suffering.

Practical religion also meant that the Christian would always strive for personal holiness. There should be no cause for a blight upon the character of a Christian. The Christian should be different from the non-Christian by his lifestyle and the purity of his living. It takes more than acting like a Christian on Sunday by being faithful in attendance at church services. Christianity permeates and becomes a guiding principle for speech, compassionate acts, work ethic and Christ-like living.

Prayer: God, grant that we may measure up as a Christian. Who we are and our influence in all areas of life matter to our "true religion and undefiled."

c Ethelene Dyer Jones, Friday, October 15, 2010

Controlling the Tongue

“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives reproof is prudent” (Proverbs 15:1-5, NKJV).

Words roll from our tongues like waves flowing in from high tide—that is, if we are not too shy to speak. Most of us are ready with words and sometimes we do not give adequate thought to what we say or how we say it. The sage who compiled the Proverbs and many wise persons before and since have taught us the importance of controlling the tongue. James, writing in the New Testament, recognizing that the toungue is “a small member” yet, untamed, can wreak havoc, stated: “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:8-10 NKJV). I find it interesting that in the context of teaching about the power of the tongue and the importance of a son receiving his father’s wise instruction, is the strong statement: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). I remember that I was taught as a child that God is every place observing what we say and what we do. My Sunday School teachers at my country church were strong on this point. So were my parents as they tried to bring me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And they taught, too, that what I spoke and how I said my words made a great difference to those who heard me. Even with this good instruction, it was not always easy to control the tongue; nor is it, even now.

We hear so many words: television blares forth words; we listen or not, as we will. Leaders of our government make promises, sometimes without substance. We hear instruction at church from teachers and ministers; again we hear and heed, or we allow the instruction to pass unheeded. And we ourselves talk, sometimes without first thinking about what we say. Talk is cheap or it bears weight, whichever value we choose for the work of our tongue. Good communication is at the heart of good human relationships. Language communicates both our intellect and our emotions.

From the heart we speak, and the sage gave instruction about that, too: “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). For today, could we begin the practice of giving a soft answer, of speaking the truth in love, of controlling the tongue, that small member of our body with such weighty influence? It might be hard, but with God’s watchfulness over the tongue, it is possible to wield a good influence, even in what we speak.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones, Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Righteous Path, Guarded Heart

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day…Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:18, 23, NIV) [Read Proverbs 4]

Verses are selected for these devotionals from Proverbs because I have had them underlined and noted in my study Bibles for a long time. Either I have heard sermons preached on the verses or I have highlighted them because I was struck by particular truths from those cited. It may not seem that the title, “Righteous Path” and “Guarded Heart” go together very well. Let us see…

Verse 18 speaks strongly about righteousness. A right relationship with God promises a focused way to go in life. God provides light for the Christian’s pathway. I often see the dawn because I am an early riser. How splendid is that first glimpse of dawn, and how beautiful as darkness dissipates and the sunlight chases the shadows of night away. The path of righteousness is like the dawning, giving insight and direction on how to conduct one’s life, how to behave, how to react to others, how to grow closer to God. There is not a relationship that righteousness cannot touch for the better. It helps a life shine brighter and brighter, just like the dawn (daybreak, the sun rising) makes everything more beautiful. We find a righteous path by studying the Word of God, following its precepts, praying, confessing, replacing dark areas of life with God-directed living.

“Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” I became much more aware of my physical heart in 2007 when I had to undergo five bypasses heart surgery to repair damage to an ailing heart. Sometimes we take a vital organ of the body for granted. Since then, I have “guarded my heart” with diligence, and so have my doctors. I am what one might call a survivor. I am grateful to be alive and well, able to function at “guarded” level. But the writer of this Proverb was using “heart” (Hebrew leb) to mean the seat of emotion, desire, thought, decision-making, joy, wisdom. The Greek word, kardia, covers the whole range of activities that go on within one’s inner being. Certainly the sage was wise to say that the heart is the “wellspring” (source of continual supply) of life. Physically, emotionally, socially and physically, the heart is at the center of life—who we are and how we react. Pray to keep on a righteous path with a heart guarded—attuned to and responsive to God’s direction. Then know God’s light and His wellsprings of life!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, July 1, 2010