(James 1:26 [HCSB]) If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

The opening “if” presents another form of self-deception. We think we are religious. We see ourselves as compassionate and kind. We like to think of ourselves as generous and giving. We may see ourselves as a spiritual person, committed to some moral code or various religious exercises. We identify and may even associate with a certain religious organization. We see ourselves as we want to, even when we present evidence to the contrary before others. If I see myself as laid back and patient, but seem constantly agitated, nervous and controlling, my behavior speaks against how I see myself. Is what we think we are match what others observe about us? If not, we are deceiving ourselves.

James will talk extensively about the importance, power, influence and dangers of the tongue, but here he presents its control as a litmus test for the genuineness of religious fervor, commitment, and devotion. If we are unwilling or unable to control what we say, we give indication that we lack the spiritual commitment and strength a true relationship with the Savior affords. Jesus told his followers that what comes out of one’s mouth will ultimately reveal the true desires, thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, goals and values a person harbors in the heart. More religious claims have been destroyed by wagging tongues, deceitful lips, and boastful speech than by most other means. Especially in a world of social media people spew forth words by the gallons, posting religious sayings while vilifying others at the same time. “Loose lips sink ships.” In World War II this motto was used on posters warning people against unguarded talk. More than ever, Christians need to learn to guard their words.

Pure religion is sincere, genuine, real. In relation to loving one’s neighbor, this religion sees even the most helpless and least likely in society to be able to offer help as recipients of compassion. Real religion expresses practical love: it looks after those in need, offering tangible help. In relation to loving God this religion is concerned with avoiding the stains of the world. These stains refer to the ways of the world, the thinking of the world, the attitudes of the world and the talk of the world. Those devoted to God, who want to walk in His ways and please Him, put aside the ways of the world in order to serve Him. They don’t want the pull of the world dragging them away from following Him and they don’t want the influences of the world leaving its mark on them.

“Stains” are a good way of expressing the impact the world has on us. I was working in my store resetting the detergent additives when I dropped a bottle of blue solution. When it hit the floor, the bottle shattered and drops of solution splattered up onto my khaki pants. Those pants still bear the mark, the stain, of that solution. We have been stained by the world’s ways of thinking, talking, and acting. “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.” “If any person is in Christ, that person is a new creation.” Fortunately, we have access to an effective sin-stain remover. However, we must seek to remain “unstained by the world.” It is possible to keep the stains of the world from leaving its permanent mark on us. Repentance, prayer, Bible study, and constant choices to follow God’s ways will help us keep from those stains.