James 1 - Practicing Pure Religion

Today, Monday November 16 - James 1:26-27 "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. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." I think what I really like about this wonderful Book of James, is that it is so practical!  To keep ourselves from being deceived, we have learned we need to "receive the Word, practice the Word, and now share the Word.  In the last two verses of this chapter, we are encourage to share the Word through our speech, through our acts of service and also through our separation from the world.  Many of us stain our witness for Christ because we fail to "bridle" our tongues.  First we say the wrong things.  Sometimes we say the right things, but say them in the wrong way. And sometimes we say the right things, but say them at the wrong time.  I admit I'm am guilty of all three! The only way to have a "bridled tongue" is to have a heart and life controlled by the Holy Spirit and guided by the Word of God!  May the Lord help us today to practice "pure religion"!  God bless!