An Unbridled Tongue and a False Faith

An Unbridled Tongue and a False Faith

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

James 1:26

There can be a large difference between the way things appear on the outside and what they really are underneath.  Many is the time I have lifted up a piece of apparently good wood only to discover the termites have been having a banquet on the bottom side.  Sadly, this can be true of a person’s religion.  Our text for today makes a very sobering statement.  In essence, no amount of profession of faith can supersede the contrary evidence of an uncontrolled tongue.  It is interesting to see how the text refers to the individual’s religious veneer.  He “seemeth to be religious.”  In fact, he may do many things that seem to indicate that he is very zealous, even to the point of loudly denouncing “falsehood.”  In fact that may be the very areas where he most quickly evidences his uncontrolled tongue.  It is necessary to oppose error and apostasy; however, when a person, even upon pretense of “defending the faith” descends into vituperation, venom, and vitriol he gives the lie to a bold profession.  This is certainly not the behavior we have such learned from the example of Christ. A close observation of the life of Christ affords us opportunity to learn the virtue of a controlled tongue.   Because Christ is, “the Truth,” He could have delivered His statements with much more force than He did. The fullness of the Spirit within Him, and the purity of His holy character, enabled Him to “speak the truth in love.”  As we abide with the Living Christ, we experience the working of the Holy Spirit; which evidences itself by a tongue that is marked by self-control. The speech of Christ is the Holy Template for godly communication.

Our text goes so far as to declare that a religious veneer in company with an uncontrolled tongue is indication of a deceived heart. We want to be very careful that we do not excuse sin in ourselves, especially in the matter of an un-controlled tongue, because the real risk we run by doing that is self-deception. What a tragedy to go through life with an apparently substantial Christianity which has no real worth! Christ is the answer for this most devastating of sins. ‘In many things, (such as this), we all offend.’ Let us fly today to the foot of the cross. Let us seek the Savior, and a fresh cleansing, of the blood, that we may continue no longer in self-deception. We want a religion that is absolutely genuine, and we will never have it without a Christ-controlled tongue

Our Gracious Savior,

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice