James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
In the Book of James, one will find that James, as a pastor, will not hesitate to address the language of believers and will do so several times in his letter. Most of chapter 3 will have him drilling down on how harmful the tongue can be and will ask very directly how one’s tongue can bless God and curse men. He then states emphatically that these things should not be. As he finishes chapter 1, he reminds believers that they can BRIDLE their tongues so that their words will be wholesome. The Christian after all, is to have clean, wholesome, words proceeding from their tongue. For instance, Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
James is straightforward in saying that if your religion, your conversion, does not change your conversation then your religion is USELESS. There is a clear expectation that conversion gives the believer the ability to control (bridle) their tongue.
If you need help in bridling your tongue here are just a couple of verses to help you: Psalms 19:14 (A Prayer) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalms 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
So let us be clear, if one has experienced a conversion to Christianity then one of the marks of the conversion will be the change in their conversation.
How has your conversion changed your conversation?
Are you converted? If so, your conversation will be different!
Continue Strong with wholesome words!
And Remember to Date the Word