Inside Out || James 1:26-27

What does the phrase "inside out" mean to you?

Think about that as you read the story below.

"There's a story told about a tree that grew in the center of a small town. It was huge. Massive. Beautiful. Over the years, it had become the pride and joy of the town. Kids climbed onto its branches, families ate lunch under its shade, and visitors were given directions using the tree as a reference point.

Every fall, as the temperature dropped and the winds shifted to the north, the tree began to lose its leaves and settle in for the dormant winter months. It endured wind and rain, snow and sleet, and bone-chilling temperatures.                            

But one spring, just as the trees were beginning to bud again, a massive thunderstorm blew into town, complete with strong winds, lightning, and hail. Everyone huddle along the storefronts under the awnings to stay dry and safe. In the midst of this wild storm, they heard a massive crrrrrack, followed by an even louder thud. 

To the town's dismay, the sound they had heard was the destruction of the beloved tree. The strong winds had toppled the tree. It lay in the center of town, broken across its base. The people stood in shock. How could wind--even a strong wind--cause such a mighty tree to fall? 

When they looked inside the tree, they found their answer. Unknown to them, just as the leaves were falling from the trees, a disease infiltrated the tree from the roots and continued spreading straight into the heart of the tree itself.

 The outside still looked fine, but the core of the tree was dead."

Does this story resemble your relationship with Christ? As you read James 1:26-27, really examine your your life to determine whether your relationship with God is truly genuine or you're simply maintaining the outward appearance of godliness--like a tree that looks great on the outside but is diseased within.


JAMES 1:26-27
26) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27) Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

What does James say about the religious person / Christian whose tongue isn't under control?








He said that that person's religion is WORTHLESS. In other words, we're WORTHLESS Christians. We have no right to call ourselves Christians. Because as a Christian, we should be producing attitudes, actions, and speech that is Christ-like. 

Worthless. That's a strong word. Yet, that's how James described the religion of a person who didn't control her tongue. Earlier, James talked specifically about keeping your words in check when you're angry. This time, James didn't get specific. He just challenged believers to control every aspect of their speech, not just when they got their feathers ruffled.




When we compared verse 26 to verse 19 (Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;), we are reminded of the concept of why we have been given two ears to hear and only one mouth -- so we can hear twice as much as we say. So that we can WATCH OUR TONGUES! Though it's a small part of the body, it can still do a whole lot of damage if we are not careful.

As painful as it is, we need to be reminded of this truth: we can't do all the outward stuff of religion (going to church, fasting, worship) without also showing signs of an inward change that results in controlled speech. Again, James said that our religion is worthless if we can't control our speech. Ouch!

So then, what does real, true religion look like? James highlights a couple things in verse 27 that are good indicators of someone having true religion. What are these two example of authentic faith?









"to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." 


This was a concept the Jews were very familiar with since it was part of their heritage, history, and laws. In their culture, the orphans and the widows were the most needy people. They had no source of income, and no one to protect or provide for them. They were the most vulnerable. James wanted his readers to understand what was that these people felt the weight of being alone and vulnerable.

James made it clear - when you are receptive to God and His Word, your interaction with others will change. Your life will bear the mark of kindness, compassion, and mercy toward others.


James also challenged his readers to keep themselves "unstained from the world" meaning no blemish, spot, or defect. PERFECT. He said not to be stained by the world. In other words, believers are to seek moral purity, a life that is free of the things the world values, like self-reliance, selfishness, greed, lust, power, and violence,.




Evaluate your own life. What worldly pursuits are staining your life right now? Is there anything stopping you from really living for Christ?

May your love for Christ and the love you have for others because of Christ begin from within, from the inside out.