James 1:26

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, this person is self-deceived and his religion is worthless.

Cross References

Ephesians 4:29

Do not allow unwholesome [Note: The Greek word for “unwholesome” is “rotten, diseased”] language to come from your mouth, but only what is helpful for building up those who need it, so that you can impart favor [i.e., benefit] to those who listen [to you].

1 Peter 3:10

For [Psalm 39:12 says], “The person who loves [his] life and wants to have happy days, should avoid saying anything bad or deceptive.

Ephesians 5:4

Nor should obscenity, silly chatter or double-meaning jokes be used, because they are not proper either. But instead, [you should express] thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:6

Your speech should always be favorable, seasoned with salt [i.e., interesting and appropriate], so that you may know how to properly answer each person [you talk with].

James 1:22

But you should not deceive yourselves by just listening [to God’s word] instead of doing what the word teaches.

James 1:19

You people [already] know this [or, “you should know this”], my dearly loved brothers. However, every person should be quick to listen, slow to talk and slow in becoming angry.

Luke 8:18

Pay attention to how you listen, for to the person who [already] has something, [more] will be given, but from the person who has [virtually] nothing, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

Galatians 6:3

For any person who thinks he is someone [important], when he is really nothing, is self-deceived.

Galatians 2:6

These apostles, who were highly regarded (although it really does not matter to me what they are, for God does not show partiality to any particular person); these men, I say, provided me with nothing [concern­ing the Gospel message].

Mark 7:7

They are worshiping me for nothing because they are teaching principles which are [merely] the requirements of men.’

1 Corinthians 15:2

[and] you have been saved by it also, if you hold on to it firmly [i.e., continue believing and practicing it]. For if you do not [hold on to it firmly], you will have believed [it] all for nothing.

Matthew 15:9

They are worshiping me for nothing [because they are] teaching principles that are [merely] the requirements of men.’”

1 Corinthians 15:15

And also, we are found to be false witnesses about God because we testified that God raised up Christ [from the dead], when [in reality] He did not raise Him up if, in fact, the dead are not raised up.

James 2:20

But will you acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without [good] deeds is useless?

Galatians 3:4

Did you suffer so many things [for the faith] all for nothing? [That is], if it really was for nothing?

Galatians 2:9

Also, when they perceived that this [special] favor [of preaching to Gentiles] was granted to me, James, Cephas [i.e., Peter] and John, the highly regarded pillars [i.e., leaders of the church] extended to me and Barnabas their right hands [signifying an agreement] to share [in the preaching of the Gospel], with us going to the Gentiles and they going to the circumcised ones [i.e., Jews].

1 Corinthians 3:18

No one should fool himself. If any person among you thinks he is smart, by human standards, he should become a “fool,” so that he can become [really] wise.