1. James 1:26-27 Getting Real True or False

2. True or False? (James 1:26-27) Jesus often pointed out the hypocrisy of religious leaders whose lives were not aligned with God’s heart and ways. Ultimately, these leaders were deceiving themselves, as well as those who looked to them for accurate teaching about God and his ways. (See Matthew 23:3, 23, 27-28) Christian maturity/righteousness is not ultimately seen in outward appearance, but in the condition of the heart/attitudes.

3. Two Important Words 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) “Deceived” – Refers to self-deceit. “Worthless” – Empty or hollow.

4. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23:15) Deception Begins In Our Own Hearts

5. “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. (Matthew 23:13) Deception Begins In Our Own Hearts

6. Deception substitutes religious practice for genuine faith works (those led by and that glorify God) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! (Matthew 23:23-24)

7. Deception is revealed in our lack of self-control, particularly in restraining our words. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34) So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:19)

8. Deception is revealed in our lack of self-control, particularly in restraining our words. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

9. Does your life reflect true, genuine, Christian maturity? Ex ternal religious worship (religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.