Have you ever had someone ask if or imply that you are “religious”? I love telling people who ask this that there are many things I do that are religious! Every morning when I wake up I “religiously” go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. My dad “religiously” smokes a cigarette shortly after he wakes up! There are many things we do “religiously” that has nothing to do with any particular religion and particularly Christ or Christianity. Over the last several months I have been in the habit of religiously thinking and speaking negative words over myself. It has become a religious habit that is absolutely not of God! One definition of “religious” is, “believing in a god or a group of gods and following the rules of a religion.” James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” The demons here even believed in THE God … the Big “G” God!
I was reading the Word this morning and was reminded what God says about being religious. James 1:26-27 says, “26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
So, I have decided to become “religious” and be able to affirm that I am when someone asks! Therefore, I have a three part challenge:
- Keep a tight rein on my tongue (believing what God Says about me)
- Look after orphans and widows (get my focus on others more than my pity party)
- Keep from being polluted by the world (get more into the Word seeking how the Lord views me)
Lauren Daigle has many songs on the radio, but of course this one came on this morning.
Be blessed!
Barnabas Man 