True Religion & The Tongue | James 1:19-27

James has already warned us that hearing without doing is worthless. Now he turns his attention to a specific test of genuine faith: the tongue.

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)

This is sobering. James makes clear that religion—outward acts of worship, ritual, or profession of faith—means nothing if it does not reach the tongue. Words reveal the heart, and a tongue without control reveals a heart without Christ.


The Illusion of Religion
Notice how James begins: “If anyone thinks he is religious…” Many in the dispersion thought themselves devout. They claimed zeal for God, perhaps carried their heritage, and engaged in outward acts of worship. But their tongues betrayed them.

Religious appearance without transformed speech is self-deception. James uses the same word as earlier: deceived. First, we saw hearers who deceive themselves (v. 22). Now, we see “religious” people deceiving themselves.

Matthew Henry wrote, “Where there is not a watch upon the tongue to bridle it, the heart is not under the power of religion.”


The Bridle of the Tongue
The imagery James uses is vivid: “does not bridle his tongue.” Like a horse that runs wild without bit and bridle, so the tongue runs loose if not restrained by grace and self-control.

In chapter 3, James will develop this further: the tongue is like a fire, like a rudder, like a restless evil. A small organ, yet it directs the whole body.

Here in chapter 1, James introduces the principle: true faith is evidenced in bridled speech.

John Calvin comments, “The tongue is the index of the mind. If we would show a good conscience before men, it must begin with purity of speech.”


Why the Tongue?
Why does James single out the tongue? Because words reveal the heart. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). The mouth cannot hide what is inside.

Furthermore, the dispersion was plagued with false teachers, quick-to-speak members, and quarrels over truth. Instead of being quick to listen and slow to speak (v. 19), many were eager to assert their opinions, define their own religion, and criticize others.

To James, this proved their religion was worthless. Outward piety means nothing if it cannot govern inward desires and outward speech.


Worthless Religion
The verdict is severe: “This person’s religion is worthless.”

The word “worthless” means empty, useless, void of any saving power. It does not mean this person lacks sincerity or zeal—they may be very devout. But their devotion is useless because it is not joined to true faith in Christ.

John MacArthur notes, “People who think they are saved, but habitually have no control of their speech, are deceived. Their religion is a sham.”

This aligns with Jesus’s warning in Matthew 7:21–23. Many will say, “Lord, Lord,” but their words cannot save them. True religion shows itself not in mere profession but in transformed life.


The Mark of True Faith
James is not teaching that controlling your tongue earns salvation. Rather, bridled speech is the evidence of salvation. Just as steadfastness reveals true faith in trials, and resistance reveals true faith in temptation, so bridled speech reveals true faith in relation to being confronted with truth.

William Perkins said, “The tongue is the messenger of the heart. If it be unbridled, it declares that the heart is untamed.”

The Spirit gives believers self-control (Galatians 5:23). Discretion, restraint, and wisdom in speech are fruits of maturity. Conversely, reckless, divisive, and careless words mark an unconverted soul.


Practical Application

1. Guard your words in worship. Do not merely speak piously; let your words be truthful and reverent.
2. Guard your words in teaching. Not many should become teachers (James 3:1). Let speech be slow, humble, and careful.
3. Guard your words in daily life. Resist gossip, slander, anger, and careless talk. Remember that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).
4. Guard your heart. Since the tongue reveals the heart, cultivate purity within. The tongue can only be bridled when the heart is submitted to Christ.

Conclusion
James will go on to show what true religion looks like—caring for widows and orphans and walking in holiness. But first, he clears the ground: unbridled speech makes religion worthless.

The question is piercing: Does my tongue reflect Christ? Do my words reveal submission to Him?

True religion is not empty ritual, loud talk, or zealous debate. It is a heart transformed by grace, revealed in a bridled tongue.