James 1:26-27 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.… I. A MAN MAY "SEEM TO BE RELIGIOUS" WHILE "THE ROOT OF THE MATTER" IS A-WANTING. 1. An unconverted man may do many decent and honourable things. In domestic life, he can, indeed, discharge his duty faithfully. In the transaction of mercantile business, too, a man who has never appropriated Christ by faith, may scorn to utter a falsehood or to do a dishonest deed. 2. Much, in a man's character and conduct is concealed from the eye of others. Besides the insidious efforts of the hypocrite to conceal his vices the true character of man is withdrawn from the public eye. Vice, too, when practised by a man who seeks to preserve a decent reputation, naturally courts the shade. 3. The world does not prescribe any very lofty standard of religion. II. WITH RESPECT TO HIS CHARACTER AND CONDITION A MAN MAY "DECEIVE HIS OWN HEART." Neglecting self-examination altogether, some men give themselves up to the direct influence of the pride and self-conceit which are so natural to the human mind. Others, in examining themselves, resort to false and unscriptural tests — such as, Am I not as good as my neighbours? Am I not better than I once was? And some who employ good tests. Do I love the Lord? Have I been born again? — apply them in so unintelligent, so cursory, or so dishonest a way, that they come to a false conclusion respecting their own character and case. III. IT IS DARK SIGN OF A MAN "WHEN HE "BRIDLETH NOT HIS TONGUE." (M. S. Patterson, D. D) Parallel Verses KJV: If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. |
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