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at the Christian life through God’s eyes. Sins of the tongue negate any positive results the Word and good
works will produce (Colossians 3:17).

D. Pure Religion
Jas 1:27 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.

Pure (katharos: clean) religion and undefiled before God and the Father (the God and Father) is this, To
visit (episkeptesthai: look in on) the fatherless (orphanous: orphans) and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world.

“Pure religion” is a summation of this chapter. It is the outward life of a believer before the church and
the world, backed by a study of the Word, faith in the promises of God, and a control over the flesh. This
man is said to have an outward religion, which below the surface is clean and undefiled in the sight of
God. His life is an outward display of his heart.

The areas of ministry mentioned in this verse are only a small sample of many more possibilities. Visiting
the orphans and widows denotes more than a casual social call. This denotes a visiting with aid and
assistance. These two groups are totally helpless and must be sustained by those around. The widows
mentioned in this verse must be “widows indeed” (1 Timothy 5:5, 9‐13). Both of these classes were subject
to exploitation and needed to be defended (Zechariah 7:10, Mark 12:40). God’s attitude toward the
widows and orphans is one of great care (Deuteronomy 10:18, Mark 12:40).

In James, pure religion is defined and expressed this way:
1. Being born‐again
2. Studying God’s Word

3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit
4. Stepping out in faith on God’s Word without doubting
5. Stability in the Christian life
6. Being humble rather than prideful
7. Enduring temptations
8. Overcoming the flesh
9. Continuing in the Word of God
10. Being a doer of the Word who displays good works as a witness before the world
11. Bridling the tongue

The believer is also to keep himself unspotted (unsoiled) from the world’s system, which is backed by
Satan (John 14:20, 1 John 4:4). A life of holiness is commanded by God (2 Corinthians 6:17, James 4:4). It
is through a life of holiness that the world can see the power of God demonstrated in our lives. This
holiness is not produced by our flesh or our own willpower, but by the power of the Word of God and the
Holy Spirit in our lives.