True Religion (1)
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26 ESV
Rodney Baker (Adelaide, Australia) has contributed several TW’s on Religion while I am in South Africa.
Religious – threskos. What a loaded word! A word that occurs only once in the entire NT, right here. And, yet, it appears 3 times in the LXX, in Job 1:1, 1:8 and 2:3. Each time it refers to Job as a man who is upright and blameless, who fears God and turns away from evil. The word corresponding to threskos is yare’ – to fear, reverence, stand in awe of, respect or honour.
James uses the nominal form of the same word, threskeia, later in the same verse. This time it describes religious worship, especially ceremonial observances or religious discipline. Paul uses the same word in Acts 26:5 to describe the observance of the Pharisees.
But what is James really saying here? Quite frankly, it doesn’t seem to fit the context (we’ll get to verse 27 soon). Is James talking about gossip? Slander? Inappropriate language? How does this fit with being a doer of the Torah and not just a hearer? How does it fit into the context of awe and reverence for God and religious observance? Most of our English translations aren’t very helpful. But, perhaps there is one that provides a clue:
James 1:26 YLT – “[26] If any one doth think to be religious among you, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, of this one vain [is] the religion;”
I think what James is speaking of here is people who make a show of being religious, but spend more time talking about it than actually doing it. Perhaps boasting about it. The word “bridle” is chalinagogon which is made up of two words; chalinos – a bridle or bit – and ago, to lead by laying hold of, to guide, direct, therefore to lead with a bridle or to keep in check. [Ago can also have another meaning too – to pass a day or to keep or celebrate a feast (e.g. a religious ceremony or observance) so maybe there is a little play on words going on here.]
James suggests that it is also possible to deceive one’s own heart to think that you are worshipping God appropriately, when in fact the opposite is true. Religious observance without action is vain. Sobering thought, isn’t it?
As one teacher said, “Don’t tell me which God you serve, show me which commandments you keep.” Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.
Topical Index: James 1:26, religion, threskos, yare’, fear, chalinagogon, tongue
I hope what I have to share is related enough to this topic to be included as a comment here…
I am not Jewish. I am a plain old gentile, born again believer, saved by grace, convert to Christianity. (Feel free to apply whatever tag fits someone who loves God and wants to know Him and follow Jesus.)
“Religious observance without action is vain.”
Do I “believe” or do I “do”? Am I a “hearer only” or a “doer”? Much has been said lately about Christians who might think and/or teach that we are free of the burden of the law. I will not pretend to understand all that is contained in the Tanakh. In fact, until recently I didn’t even know what Tanakh means.
What I do know is this: Jesus was pretty clear on a number of things, including the idea that he did not come in order to do away with the law but to fulfill it. Revealed in the name of God are grace and truth. Contained in the Law of Moses are grace and truth. Embodied in Jesus are grace and truth. If I am “sealed” by the Spirit of God, if I am saved by grace through faith in Christ and if that same Spirit is leading me into all truth, then how can I conclude anything except that I am obliged to accept the fact that I, too, am subject to both His grace (i.e. the love and mercy of God) and His truth (i.e. the law)?
Whatever else Jesus was showing us, it is clear that He came to tear down the walls between Jews and Gentiles. He did not come to erect them. If there is only one God, then it follows that there can only be one gospel. In my mind, all that Yeshua said and did trumps any doctrine of man that suggests that the Law of Moses no longer applies. I would even go so far as to say that if Yeshua came to fulfill the law, then we, also, are here to fulfill it; we are not here to ignore it.
Such a sobering burden should make us tremble!
The law is not our enemy; however, it was never meant to stand alone just as it was never meant to be dismissed in favor of grace. The law REVEALS grace! If it is true that neither truth or grace is complete without the other, then how can any of us hope to be restored to His image and likeness without paying attention to both?
As long as the law is viewed as either a burden or obsolete, we cannot embrace the full blessing and beauty of the call of God on our lives; we risk missing the significance of being transformed from “slaves to sin” into “sons and daughters.”
If we are “at war” with the law, then how can we stand, restored, in the gap? Praise The One who makes us able to stand! Bless the name of The One Who Was, Who Is and Who Is To Come! And thanks be to God, who entrusts us with the sacred privilege of fulfilling His law, and who gives us His Spirit so that we can stand in the midst of this chaos to do His will and bring forth His kingdom!
I must confess that reading “Today’s Word in English” and hanging out with my Jewish brothers and sisters on this forum (via your comments) is honing my “theology.” (Sorry, Skip… I know theology is not the best choice of words.) It’s also helping me appreciate the Hebrew view of Scripture and making me feel a bit envious of the rich heritage with which many of you have been blessed from birth.
Thank you, friends, and forgive me for maybe getting a little too excited at times.
And if it’s OK for a Gentile to say it, then Shalom to you all!
~Tim from Bend, Oregon
Shalom, Tim. Thanks for your comments. I think you’ll find here that many (most) are not Jewish (myself included) and we’re all on the journey together. Your honesty is appreciated and your viewpoint refreshing. I could not have said it better myself. 🙂
Tim,
Thanks for putting that so articulately. I could be wrong too, but I thought many or most people here actually have a Protestant background – some just started the path decades ago, instead of months or years. I still feel like a newbie with all this too, and there seem to be many ways to get off track in various Messianic or Hebrew Roots movements, but there have been so many gems worth digging for. The juice is worth the squeeze.
BTW, I was born and bred in Springfield/Eugene and graduated from the U of O. I’m down in southern California now — but I always get warm fuzzies thinking of home.
Hey Gabe,
Thanks for commenting. I love this site and agree with you about the juice being worth the squeeze. (Cool phrase. Never heard it put that way before.)
What you wrote reminds me of something else, although its significance will probably be lost on most of this site’s readers:
If the good news is that Jesus tore down the “middle wall of partition” (KJV) between Jews and Gentiles, then the REALLY GOOD NEWS is that He can do the same for Ducks and Beavers! (I lived in Corvallis for 30 years and graduated two children from OSU before moving to Bend.)
With that in mind, GO BEAVERS!!! May God also bless the Ducks, excepting November 24th, of course.
And may God bless you, too, Gabe… with no exceptions!
LOL, amen brother.
Hi Tim,
Welcome aboard
I would agree with Rodney that most of us are are probably not Jewish
My religious background is Catholic although to say that I don’t go to church very often
Would be something of an understatement
At the same time I feel very much at home in a Catholic church
I used to think the Greek worldview was more interesting than the Hebrew worldview
But I really didn’t understand what the Hebrew worldview was
Until I came across Today’s Word by Skip Moen
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26 ESV
Hi Rodney,
The English in the translation above is itself awfully ugly and confusing
Since Skip isn’t around, I’ll tout my Bible, which is written in beautiful English IMO
“Nobody must imagine that he is religious, while he goes on deceiving himself and not keeping control of his tongue; anyone who does this has the wrong idea of religion.”
James 1:26 The Jerusalem Bible
Thanks, Michael. The ESV isn’t perfect but it is usually easier to read than the KJV, yet more biased toward the “word for word” style (that I prefer) rather than “dynamic equivalence”, which seems to be the style of the JB and perhaps more to your preference. That’s the beauty of diversity – we each get to learn from the other. 🙂
I’m around. Just not every day. And I do like some of the Jerusalem Bible, just as I find some of all the other English translations help.
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26 ESV
Hmmm
I think the “bridle” metaphor brings a horse to mind, a symbol of passion and power
The “heart” is a symbol of compassion, kindness, and love
True religion is about caring for other people, in the author’s mind
The image above describes what we might call a “horse’s ass” or fool
A selfish, aggressive, insensitive person whose words trample on the feelings of others
James, on the other hand, might have been like a monk
Whose main desire was to be alone with God
Perhaps going from passion and power, (a fool) to kindness and love (a wise person)
takes some discipline (a bridle)
I think in one way or another we all feel the bridle.
Pr 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
Perhaps we should also include James 2:14-26 in context to Faith without Works????
L.O.L.==LOVE OUR LORD
Gerry
I love (love) the book of James. It has been referred to as “religion in shoe-leather,” and if there one thing this green planet is in need of -it is practical Christianity – our day to day, moment by moment, “living out loud, and sharing- what God has done for us and who God (our Father) is to us.
I’m from Missouri, -“show me”. This is what James is saying here, “show me your faith”- I want to see some fruit!! Some practical results from your relationship with the Redeemer. Saying is one thing and doing is another, so friends, brothers, – we gotta “walk the talk.”
All of us who “claim” to belong to Him must demonstrate to this once-born world- we do belong to Him and show them in our daily living, “live out loud”- we are “decidedly different”- unique because God has called us to be.
This prayer by St. Francis of Assisi is a Catholic prayer, but if catholic means “universal”- and it does!- then count me in- this too, is my prayer. And did you know there are Catholic Christians? as well as Jewish? as well as Baptist? as well as… ??- Remember this.. ~ other sheep have I which are not of this fold! ~ We are not (not) cut from the same cloth- God, our God, God, our Father is a God of tremendous diversity and Yeshua is not only Savior to Israel, His chosen people, but salvation has been extended to “whosoever will”-(always and forever) to the Jew first, and also (praise God) to the Greek. Yeshua HaMashiach has come to seek and to save that which is lost, and praise His Name- He included me!- this Gentile dog. More to say about this puppy later..
Here is the very beautiful (these words have lasted for centuries- “truth” endures forever.. ) prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
LORD, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Now, let’s talk about prayer!!- and the ~ fruit of our lips (continuously) giving thanks to His Name! ~
Better yet, let’s not “talk about it”- let us do it!! Why? ~ What do the scriptures say? ~ (I think I’ll pound this drum, till I can’t pound no more!!) – ~ Pray without ceasing!! ~, (then as a result)- “Rejoice evermore!!”
Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer can change the night to day!
So, when life seems dark and dreary..- don’t forget to pray!
One last thing.. “what’s down in the well, will come up in the bucket!” This, is the heart of the matter.
Is your heart- right with God? Washed in the crimson flood? Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly, right in the sight of God?
Not to worry.. no “finger-pointing” here.. – I’m looking at the man in the mirror! But our LORD, and our Father has said, ~Ask, and you will receive, seek, and you will find.. knock.. and it shall be opened (revealed) unto you ~
One prayer away. Do it. Learn to beg, if necessary, but do it. On your knees, on your face- do it.
Shall we learn (again) the Hebrew word for “blessing?” Where is the “the place of blessing?” Baruch Hashem ADONAI!! Baruch (bless). Baruch- (bow the knee!). ~ What do the scriptures say? ~
A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High; (Psalm 92.1) Do it. We were made for worship.
To pray IS to become fully human. Do it.