A Useless Religion?

Devotion for Saturday July 28, 2018

Sing A&M 330 (Abu 112) – Thine Forever! God of Love

Topic: A Useless Religion?

Text: James 1:26 - 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.

The tongue is a very powerful tool in the life of man; it can bring blessing as well as curse upon a man. A relationship built for years could be destroyed within seconds by the tongue. Marriages have been destroyed because of the use of uncontrolled tongue; families which use to be the envy of others have been shattered by the words of the month.

James said that bridling of tongue is part of our righteous act, and any believer who could not bring restraint to his/her tongue and speech is a deceit. Without control over your words, your religious act is worthless and hypocritical. If Jesus Christ is Lord over our lives He should also be the Lord also over our tongue. Contrary to that, then, there is deception.

For a Christian to maintain his stand with God and man, he should be able to bridle his tongue. A Christian’s use of tongue must be a matter of careful forethought and discipline. Psalm39:1 talked about one being able to restrain one’s tongue before wicked people because all they are after is to get you ensnared in your own words. Christians should not use the tongue with which they bless, to curse.

How do we view gossip, backbiting and slander in the house of God today? St Paul in his letter to the Church in Rome posited that gossip, slanderers and bad-mouths commit the same sin as murders, sexual perverts, and haters of God. He further stated that such sins are worthy of death (Romans 1:28-32). Many Christians have experienced problems and misfortune, or fail to get answers to their prayers, because of the words of their mouth. Above all Christian who wants to enjoy long and blessed life should keep their tongue from evil.

Food for Thought: Psalm 34:12-13                

Memory Verse: Prov. 21:23 - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Prayer Point: Help me, O Lord, to keep check on my tongue; help me to have control over the words of mouth so that I will not be ensnared by the words that I speak in Jesus name.

In The Multitude Of Words

Devotion for Monday November 13, 2017

Topic: In The Multitude Of Words

Text: Proverbs 10:19

Job 6:24 says, “Teach me and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” The greatest virtue someone can develop in life is the ability to tame his or her tongue. James gave reason for this in James 3:5 – 12.

Our text admonishes us on the importance of governing our tongue which should be our duty for these reasons.

1) It is good to say little, because in the multitude of words, sin doesn’t cease. Usually, those that speak much, speak much idle words which they must shortly give account of (Mathew 12:36).

2). It is therefore good to keep our mouth as with a bridle. See Amos 5:13 and James 1:19. Do you have control over your tongue? James 1:26 says, “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.”

The way you talk in the public goes a long way to show the kind of Christian you are. Peter sagely said, “For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit” – 1 Peter 3:10. This is a challenge for us. Many people ridicule their faith by what they say with their mouth. A true Christian chooses his or her words before speaking and not the opposite. Be wise as your faith demands. Have a great day!

Food for Thought: James 1:26

Memory verse: Proverbs 10:19

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the grace to bridle my tongue and to choose my words before I speak so that I will not say idle words.