DRAWING NEAR
June 13
Speaking from a Pure Heart
"If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not
bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's
religion is worthless" (James 1:26).
In verse 22 James talked about the delusion of hearing the Word
without obeying it. Here he talks about the deception of external
religious activity without internal purity of heart.
That's a common deception. Many people confuse love of religious
activity with love for God. They may go through the mechanics of
reading the Bible, attending church, praying, giving money, or
singing songs, but in reality their hearts are far from God. That
kind of deception can be very subtle. That's why James disregards
mere claims to Christianity and confronts our motives and obedience
to the Word. Those are the acid tests!
James was selective in the word he used for "religious." Rather than
using the common Greek word that speaks of internal godliness, he
chose a word that refers to external religious trappings, ceremonies,
and rituals-- things that are useless for true spirituality.
He focuses on the tongue as a test of true religion because the
tongue is a window to the heart. As Jesus said, "The mouth speaks out
of that which fills the heart" (Matt. 12:34). Corrupt speech betrays
an unregenerate heart; righteous speech demonstrates a transformed
heart. It doesn't matter how evangelical or biblical your theology
is, if you can't control your tongue, your religion is useless!
You can learn much about a person's character if you listen long
enough to what he says. In the same way, others learn much about you
as they listen to what you say. Do your words reveal a pure heart?
Remember Paul's admonition to "let no unwholesome word proceed from
your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according
to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear"
(Eph. 4:29). Make that your goal each day so you can know the
blessing and grace of disciplined speech!
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask the Lord to guard your tongue from speaking anything that might
dishonor Him. Be aware of everything you say.
For Further Study:
Read James 3:1-12.
What warning does James give? What analogies does he use for
the tongue?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
James 3:1-12
3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that
we shall receive a stricter judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in
word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and
we turn their whole body.
4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by
fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the
pilot desires.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See
how great a forest a little fire kindles!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so
set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on
fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the
sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who
have been made in the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren,
these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same
opening?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear
figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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