James 1:26

If you think you're religious, but don't control what you say, you deceive yourself—your religion is pointless.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

25But if you look to the perfect law of freedom and follow it, not as someone who just listens and then forgets, but as someone who acts on it—then you will be blessed in what you do.

27In the eyes of our God and Father, religion that's pure and genuine is to visit orphans and widows in their suffering, and to keep yourself from being contaminated by the world.

Read all of James 1

Cross References

Job 15:13Why do your eyes flash in anger that you turn against God and let yourself speak this way?

Psalms 32:9You mustn't be like a horse or a mule that doesn't know which way to go without a bit or a bridle. Otherwise they can't be controlled.”

Psalms 39:1I told myself, “I will be careful in what I do, and not sin in what I say. I will keep my mouth shut when the wicked are around.”

Proverbs 10:19If you talk too much, you'll say something wrong. Be wise and take care what you say.

Proverbs 13:2You'll be rewarded for saying good things, but dishonest people want violence.

Proverbs 15:2What wise people say makes knowledge attractive, but stupid people talk a lot of nonsense.

Matthew Henry on James 1:20-27

On Suppressing Corrupt Affections; The Duty of Hearers; Practical Religion. ( a. d. 61.) 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word,… Read the whole commentary →

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