The Bible says if you do this your religion is useless. These people also like to think they are the innocent victim who was “only speaking the truth” and they feel justified when others get upset at them about it. They claim they are being persecuted for speaking the truth. Those people might have some knowledge, but they show themselves to be a fool because of the way they wield that knowledge to injure other people and start arguments.
https://www.gotquestions.org/pure-and-undefiled-religion.htmlWhen interpreting any verse in the Bible, including James 1:27, we should always look at its context to get an idea of what the verse means within the surrounding verses. In this case, we can look at what comes immediately before James 1:27 and get some idea of what is going on in this particular passage. Verse 26 says, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
So, in these final two verses of James 1, we have a contrast between what makes religion “worthless” and what makes religion “acceptable” to God.
Here it would be good to define the word religion. By “religion,” James means the external evidence of inward piety; that is, worship as expressed in ritual acts.
In the “worthless” religion, it doesn’t seem to matter what rituals or pious acts the worshiper engages in—it is all negated by an out-of-control tongue.
A man may go through all the external motions of Christianity, yet if he tells lies or speaks unkindly or gossips or slanders or profanes God’s name, then his religion is empty. Everyone around him will see it, but he himself remains self-deceived. “By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
The implied contrast in the “pure and undefiled” religion that pleases God is that the worshiper keeps his tongue under control. “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies” (Psalm 34:12–13).
But James goes beyond just tongue control and gives examples of the religious acts God is looking for. One is outward-focused: “Look after orphans and widows in their distress.” The other is inward-focused: “Keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). Holy living, coupled with service to others, is the key. Or, as Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptx331uLZ7YThe Bible says if you do this your religion is useless. These people also like to think they are the innocent victim who was “only speaking the truth” and they feel justified when others get upset at them about it. They claim they are being persecuted for speaking the truth. Those people might have some knowledge, but they show themselves to be a fool because of the way they wield that knowledge to injure other people and start arguments.
An excellent video that surely gave me food for thought when I watched it...
It's funny that these trinitarians all of a sudden cant hear the audio or watch the video when it actually works fine. Good points, Elvira, since its clear they feel threatened by your unassailable points.
Nah, it's my work firewall. No YouTube videos work. :shrug:
And I was applauding Elvira. I think it's great that she's not using religion to be all judgey and not start fights. It's a welcome change.
Hope this clears things up for you, buddy! You seem confused lately.
So you dont even bother to check the OP and instead take a swipe at anybody who disagrees with you? Very typical and exactly what was expected by the contents of the vid. Well done.
So you dont even bother to check the OP and instead take a swipe at anybody who disagrees with you? Very typical and exactly what was expected by the contents of the vid. Well done.
Too bad he "can't" watch it, huh...:2razz:
Too bad he "can't" watch it, huh...:2razz:
Yup, he loves to sidestep and attack people and not even respond to the issues. Typical, huh? It means he has no rebuttal.
:lamo
Great job is the new fighting words, huh? Do you even care if you make sense?
I'll let people decide which one of us makes sense. The fact is you didnt watch the OP video so youre doing nothing but pirouetting and just making personal attacks. Well done, pal.
Then why are you in this thread? It's about the video and youre not even debating that. Common sense will tell anyone that if one wants to debate the thread then they have to either watch the video. It's clear what youre in here for, and its not to debate the issue. Youre here to provoke and insult, which is typical of your kind.She posted a video which I could not watch from behind the firewall I'm at.
An excellent video that surely gave me food for thought when I watched it...
Then why are you in this thread? It's about the video and youre not even debating that. Common sense will tell anyone that if one wants to debate the thread then they have to either watch the video. It's clear what youre in here for, and its not to debate the issue. Youre here to provoke and insult, which is typical of your kind.
Those people might have some knowledge, but they show themselves to be a fool because of the way they wield that knowledge to injure other people and start arguments.
As expected. Thanks for proving my point.Why am I in this thread?
1) Cuz I want to, and that's enough of a reason, and more than I'm obliged to share with you.
As expected. Thanks for proving my point.
Moderator's Warning: |
An excellent video that surely gave me food for thought when I watched it...
I generally agree with the thrust of this video, and I suspect this is at least one of the paths to learning genuine humility--for the simple reason that governing your speech teaches you also to listen to the other person and hear what they are saying, even if they are saying it in a way you don't like. In my experience, that makes quite a difference.
There is a fine line between arguing a case in the philosophical sense (that is, presenting reasons for why a person ought to believe whatever conclusions you're arguing), and arguing in the political sense of having a row. There are occasions when fighting becomes genuinely necessary--but those are very rare and difficult to judge even for the wise. Usually, there's no problem in arguing in the philosophical sense, because, if all parties can keep ego and emotion out of it, everyone can learn something that is truly beneficial.
This bit gets to part of what I see wrong with our country today, and something that I've said a few times--the various sides just don't listen to each other. I hope that, appearance to the contrary, this will be a passing phase--something that comes and goes as the years pass. I guess we shall see.
An excellent video that surely gave me food for thought when I watched it...
https://www.gotquestions.org/pure-and-undefiled-religion.htmlIn the “worthless” religion, it doesn’t seem to matter what rituals or pious acts the worshiper engages in—it is all negated by an out-of-control tongue.
A man may go through all the external motions of Christianity, yet if he tells lies or speaks unkindly or gossips or slanders or profanes God’s name, then his religion is empty. Everyone around him will see it, but he himself remains self-deceived. “By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
The implied contrast in the “pure and undefiled” religion that pleases God is that the worshiper keeps his tongue under control. “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies” (Psalm 34:12–13).
But James goes beyond just tongue control and gives examples of the religious acts God is looking for. One is outward-focused: “Look after orphans and widows in their distress.” The other is inward-focused: “Keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). Holy living, coupled with service to others, is the key. Or, as Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31).
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