James 1-26-27 gives a description of some indications of what a real christian is. We can ask ourselves four questions to determine if our christianity is real or not. Is my tongue under control? Is there deception in my life? Am I meeting the needs of those around me? Is my life pure?

1. A REAL CHRISTIAN

2. James 1:26-27 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. Pure and undefiled religion
before God and the Father is this: to
visit orphans and widows in their
trouble, and to keep oneself
unspotted from the world.

3. ARE YOU A REAL CHRISTIAN?
A.If anyone among you thinks he is religious
B.James points out that is possible to think
you are religious or a Christian and not
really be so.
C.Four questions now from this text will help
examine just how you are doing in
demonstrating a true walk with Christ.
D.There are many indicators but we will look
at some of the ones that James mentions
in this passage:

4. I. IS MY TONGUE UNDER CONTROL?
A. James 1:26-27 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. 27 Pure and undefiled religion
before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and
widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted
from the world.
B. My words reveal the content of my heart. - Matthew 12:34-
37 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good
things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his
heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the
evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that
for every idle word men may speak, they will give account
of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will
be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
C. What’s in the well will come up in the bucket.

6. II. AM I DECEIVING MYSELF AND OTHERS?
A. James 1:26-27 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. 27 Pure and
undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to
visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep
oneself unspotted from the world.
B. James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving yourselves.
C. Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be
something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
D. One of the problems with self-deception is that the
self-deceived spread their deception to others.

8. III. AM I MEETING THE NEEDS OF
THOSE AROUND ME?
A. James 1:26-27 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.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the
Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their
trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the
world.
B. Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while
doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do
not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to
those who are of the household of faith.

9. III. AM I MEETING THE NEEDS OF
THOSE AROUND ME?
C. Titus 3:14 And let our people also learn to
maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that
they may not be unfruitful.
D. 1 John 3:17-18 But whoever has this world's
goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up
his heart from him, how does the love of God
abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love
in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
E. The widow and the orphan or those who have
been abandoned, left alone and in need of help
and assistance.

11. IV. IS MY LIFE TRULY PURE?
A. James 1:26-27 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. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before
God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their
trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
B. 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the
world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not
in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is
of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of
it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
C. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He
might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by
the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious
church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that
she should be holy and without blemish.

12. PURITY
Purity in heart
Unspotted from the world
Redeemed by His blood
Identity in Christ
Thoughts controlled
Yielding always to His will

13. FOUR QUESTIONS?
A. Certainly there are many other questions we
could ask, but James gives us the truth that
causes us to ask at least these four of ourselves.
1. Is my tongue under control?
2. Am I deceiving myself and others about my
true self?
3. Am I meeting the needs of those around me?
4. Is my life truly pure?
B. So, How are you doing?

15. TONIGHT’S SERMON
GOD’S DIRECTION IN PROVERBS