James 1
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
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Vain religion: is when we cannot control our tongue. Just knowing this concept helps so much for it alerts us to ask God for help when we are tried or tempted.
Recently I had a stressful appointment at my eye doctor. I could feel when I left his office that I was wanting to say things that were possibly unwise to say. So I began to pray: "God please help me. Don't let me say anything I should not say."
It is not so much that we control our tongue but rather we call on God to stop us from speaking that which we should not speak. Just knowing to do that and doing that shows our "religion". We keep ourselves under the control of God
vain: producing no result; useless; powerless; having no meaning or likelihood of fulfillment; without success
If our tongue is out of control, we show ourselves and other people that God is not in control of us.
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To "visit" widows and orphans means: to go with the intent of judging their situation and if they have any need that we can supply, then we supply that need. To do this means we have visited them properly in their need.
To supply godly counsel, or physical needs both show a pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God which provides a power and usefulness.
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To keep yourself "unspotted" from the world, would be refusing to take into your heart the empty sayings of men.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Refusing to take in speculative words of men to allow such to grow in our hearts and bear fruit, making us useless and unprofitable to others.
Instead we prove all things by the Word of God.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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We would show great spiritual power if we did these thee things: control our tongues, were profitable in our "visits", and build our house on the word from God rather than taking in the speculations of other humans.
To do these things at all times in our lives would be great gain for us!
💥 James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
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