Old Jerry Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 I think that James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion because it is by works that we show our faith. He has said that we can’t show our faith if we don’t have works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragnew Posted October 24, 2012 Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? Until what the Lord has taught us comes out in our every day actions, what good does it do. Christianity is more than just a religion, it is a relationship with the Lord Jesus, but a Christian does have religious duty to perform. God does place expectations on how we will act and behave, and until we are acting out our faith our religion is of no value. Quality time with the Lord is one aspect of our relationship to Him, being obedient and actually doing what He tells us to do is of equal or greater value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Jim Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? Because the world at large doesn't see our quiet time or the quality of our worship. It sees how we live out our lives. We need to be quick to listen and slow to speak. We need to care for the needy. Those outward signs of the Father's Love in our hearts are what separate us from the greed and corruption in the world. These things we should do without neglecting our time spent with God. And if that seems like a full time job . . . it's only because it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? The tongue can cause much damage when not checked and brought under self-control. The tongue can undo years of ministry, relationships, a person's witness, etc. when not controlled in a moment. The tongue can crush, damage, and injure other people easily. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Self-control indicates clearly where a person is in their spiritual development and relationship with God and others. While suffering during Jesus' trial, punishment, and crucifixation he never deceived His enemies; he didn't threaten; he didn't retaliate; he trusted His Father. See 1 Peter 2:21-25. In other words Jesus set an example of self-control for us in glorifying God and not giving into anger and revenge. Caring for the poor reveals the heart of the Christian because the poor have nothing material to return to us for our care. There is nothing materially in it for us but love and service to God and others. Those that love God and want to serve Him will control their mouth and serve those in need regardless of economic status or age. The quality of our quiet time or worship is between us and God and giving our time and resources to another person(s) is an entirely different matter to many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? The tongue can cause much damage when not checked and brought under self-control. The tongue can undo years of ministry, relationships, a person's witness, etc. when not controlled in a moment. The tongue can crush, damage, and injure other people easily. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Self-control indicates clearly where a person is in their spiritual development and relationship with God and others. While suffering during Jesus' trial, punishment, and crucifixation he never deceived His enemies; he didn't threaten; he didn't retaliate; he trusted His Father. See 1 Peter 2:21-25. In other words Jesus set an example of self-control for us in glorifying God and not giving into anger and revenge. Caring for the poor reveals the heart of the Christian because the poor have nothing material to return to us for our care. There is nothing materially in it for us but love and service to God and others. Those that love God and want to serve Him will control their mouth and serve those in need regardless of economic status or age. The quality of our quiet time or worship is between us and God and giving our time and resources to another person(s) is an entirely different matter to many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoRaysXD Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? The tongue can cause much damage when not checked and brought under self-control. The tongue can undo years of ministry, relationships, a person's witness, etc. when not controlled in a moment. The tongue can crush, damage, and injure other people easily. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Self-control indicates clearly where a person is in their spiritual development and relationship with God and others. While suffering during Jesus' trial, punishment, and crucifixation he never deceived His enemies; he didn't threaten; he didn't retaliate; he trusted His Father. See 1 Peter 2:21-25. In other words Jesus set an example of self-control for us in glorifying God and not giving into anger and revenge. Caring for the poor reveals the heart of the Christian because the poor have nothing material to return to us for our care. There is nothing materially in it for us but love and service to God and others. Those that love God and want to serve Him will control their mouth and serve those in need regardless of economic status or age. The quality of our quiet time or worship is between us and God and giving our time and resources to another person(s) is an entirely different matter to many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frangena Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 What we say comes from inside us. It is vital to think before talking, hence the importance of taming the tongue and self-control. Our words may damage the good work we have been doing in seconds. A loving person will always try to say things that do not tarnish the dignity of others and his/her own dignity as well. In fact, a loving person should try by all means to have words full of wisdom whether those words are reprimanding, encouraging or disciplining. Quiet time or worship have nothing to do with other people so they will not pass any message of how one practices true religion. They are private and can be done even by people who are not true Christians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? James makes taming the tongue and caring for the poor a test pure religion, it proves that we are not greedy or selfish. Taming the tongue is to be a feat for us to control. The tongue tells what is in the heart and it can start rumors and hatred to spread. If we fail to tame the tongue and feed the poor we are not true followers of Christ. We can have a quality quite time for prayer and worship, which is good, but unless we practice the things Jesus taught about love, we are only fooling ourselves and not goo Christians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyreek Posted March 29, 2017 Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 When men go to more lengths to seem religious than really to be so, it is a mark that their religion is in useless. James is using these examples to emphasize works in action rather than obligation. Pure religion is a change of heart not just a change of lifestyle. We can choose to read our Bibles, attend worship service, or sin less, however wanting instead of choosing proves change. Being more loving takes God’s help, rather than choosing to do moral righteousness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 Some monks take a vow of silence to tame the tongue, just as monks take a vow of poverty and chastity. I wonder what it would be like to never speak. All my thoughts would circulate within, circling my mind without the corrective and stabilizing effect of having other people respond. I think, though, I would find this silence and solitude spiritually invigorating as it would focus all my thoughts on Him. The tendency to run to get counsel from other people is very strong in some Christians. Taming the tongue isn't just about gossip, but about the tendency to turn to others and not God. As pastor Ralph wrote, anytime I do things for other people that has no personal benefit, I can be certain that my motives are pure. Kudos received from others destroys the stainlessness of the gift. Thus, I should give money secretly and anonymously; give my time to those who take and take and never give back; quietly work in the shadows to correct relationships between people, etc. The point is to be separated, publicly, from the "good deed" done as well as to do things that no one will ever be able to trace back to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted May 22, 2022 Report Share Posted May 22, 2022 Q8. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? James is writing about practical Christianity and warns us not to deceive ourselves with a counterfeit religion that is nothing more than a charade. He mentions keeping our tongue under control and getting our hands dirty helping people in need, as examples of practical religion. We have to be careful not to consider ourselves religious because we have quality quiet times and worship regularly. This might merely be an outward show – a formality. God is looking for a practical type of godliness which takes compassionate interest in others. We should be putting our own faith on trial by serving others and controlling our tongues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted May 22, 2022 Report Share Posted May 22, 2022 Q.8. We need to tame our tongues so that we don’t drive people away before they open a Bible. NonChristians are always watching us to see how we act and react to life’s situations. They can be drawn to speak to us or be turned off and use our conduct to judge Christian in general. So we have a huge responsibility to tame our tongues and be a good example to those around us. Looking after the poor was just what Jesus did, so this was a good example for us. But the main reason we are told that pure religion is to look after the op hans and widows is that by looking after them we will not get any return because they are poor. By looking after those that are poor we will be blessed. Also we are told not to do our righteous acts in public, where they will be seen by others. Our kind deeds must be done in secret as truly unselfish acts and motivated by love and nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manisha Posted May 25, 2022 Report Share Posted May 25, 2022 Q8. (James 1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? If we give something to our relatives, they would return it back. But if we help poor people, they can't pay us back and our little help would be very big to them. And the main thing in this is that we should never boast about our giving. Whoever helps the poor, lends the Lord - Proverbs 19:17 We should spend more time with God. But taming our tongue and helping the poor proves our love for God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne coffey Posted May 25, 2022 Report Share Posted May 25, 2022 Our worship and quiet times recharges and gives us the growth to show our Christian faith within our lives. Without action the recharging becomes stagnent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolina Posted May 26, 2022 Report Share Posted May 26, 2022 The reason why these are the prime tests of true religion is because they have to do with being selfless (humans are inherently selfish) and self control (many of us lack-addictions, too much tv, shopping, eating etc). It was God's wisdom that brought these to James to reflect pure religion because these are the downfall of man, selfishness and chaos. Quiet time and worship is what we should seek because we love the Lord and helping others and taming our tongue should be because we want to do his will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therealizt258 Posted May 26, 2022 Report Share Posted May 26, 2022 Because even to this day most Christians have a hard time helping the needy and watching what they say. The is alot of people that tell what they call "white lies" or even use vagor language. And they seem so minor to be steward in this areas of life but really it shows love to our neighbors unconditionally and pure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted May 26, 2022 Report Share Posted May 26, 2022 Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? These are test of true religion that we live out in our everyday lives. Mainly boils down to love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisema Ralitsoele Posted May 26, 2022 Report Share Posted May 26, 2022 Q8. (James 1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? James is aware that life and death are in the power of the tongue which can lead us to the path of unrighteousness. But through prayer and supplication, we can ask God to help us clean and manage our tongues, in order to praise Him and to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit. Helping the poor is done out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us. There is no ulterior motive of personal gain. Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? Only God Almighty can make a judgement on the quality of our quiet time or worship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil NRG2 Posted May 26, 2022 Report Share Posted May 26, 2022 Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? They are both unselfish acts. Both thinking of others first, for no gain to yourself, purely from love, the love of God placed in us. Oh how have I failed on this, forgive me Lord, instil in me (let me remember) my pure loving heart that you have placed in me. Words from our tongues can be so life changing and devastating, lasting in our memories, good or bad. Good is from God, bad is a win for the devil. What would Jesus say? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? This time is for ourselves not others. It is for us to learn more of God's word so as to apply it in our lives and to be encouraged by God and by His Grace to help make our life and those we touch better. It helps us to tame our tongue and care for the poor, if we remember to listen to that sweet still voice within us. Lord I pray I do so more and more in each situation in each day, as I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Ford Posted May 27, 2022 Report Share Posted May 27, 2022 Q8. (James 1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? Taming the tongue is important because of the damage the wrong words when spoke to someone can do, how hurtful words spoken with thought or thinking have destroyed people. Caring for the poor show be the goal of those who call themselves children of God. While quite time or worship are important and necessary, they pale in comparison to taming the tongue and caring for the poor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted May 28, 2022 Report Share Posted May 28, 2022 Q8. (James 1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? So far we have seen that faith without works is dead. Just so talking and talking without doing is also dead. It accomplishes nothing. So the tongue needs to be bridled and actions start to take place. The ones that need help most are indeed the poor. Caring for them in practical ways, either by helping with job opportunities, bringing necessities, like food and clothing, or teaching a skill. This is Christlike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted May 28, 2022 Report Share Posted May 28, 2022 Q8. (James 1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? It is a test of our compliance to our obedience to the command on the perfect law of love. God is interested in our relationships with another especially with widows, orphans and the poor. If we tame our tongues, we will be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to get angry. Once we do all these, James says we exhibit pure religion because we comply with the word of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarveyDunn Posted June 7, 2022 Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 On 12/17/2004 at 1:34 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q8. (James 1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? James is dealing with the practicality and issues found both in his time and in the contemporary church. We say a lot but many times do not deliver the goods. Ask a church member about his/her church and you'll get replies like; come visit us we have great music, wait till you see the inside of the church it's beautiful, we have a great sound system and our praise team can really sing, etc, etc. Rarely do you hear; we're the church that does the food giveaway program weekly, we had 2 or 22 people get saved last Sunday, we open our church to help the hungry, downcast, and sick. I quote Barclay "To him real worship did not lie in elaborate vestments or in magnificent music or in a carefully wrought service; it lay in the practical service of mankind and in the purity of one's own personal life." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janzie Posted June 7, 2022 Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 On 12/17/2004 at 1:34 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q8. (James 1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? We need to think before we speak. Having an untamed tongue brings hurt and pain to others. We are not giving glory to God or being a good example of our faith. Would we like to be hurt or demeaned by others? Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matt. 7:12 Caring for the poor takes us away from ourselves, showing compassion for others. Giving and sharing with others in need is s an act of Worship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted July 7, 2022 Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 James makes taming the tongue a test because he knows that what it puts out there can never be retrieved. So if our tongue is tame, that is the test of pure religion. He put caring for the poor as a prime test because it indicates that we are not selfish. Our quiet time and worship is for our own good and it helps us to see what God wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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