1:26James 1:26

To seem religious while leaving the tongue unbridled is to deceive one's own heart, and such religion is vain, empty and worthless.Lt 185, 1902, par. 17–18+2 Profession must be matched by obedient conduct, not resting in theory or piety in name only but receiving and doing the engrafted word that is able to save.Lt 185, 1902, par. 17–18+4 True religion before God is pure and undefiled in doing the Word, visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction and keeping oneself unspotted from the world, with appetites, temper and disposition brought under guidance.Lt 187, 1903, par. 26–27+4 To bridle the tongue is to guard words, spirit and actions so they do not offend, refusing harsh and retaliatory speech, listening with patience and submission, which no one can do by personal effort alone but only with God's help through humble prayer and whole consecration.Ms 13a, 1891, par. 33–34+4 Unbridled speech in evil speaking, gossip, faultfinding, murmuring and harsh passionate words wounds souls, weakens faith and destroys influence for good, so the test reaches the home, the church and daily work, where keeping the tongue under temptation is victory over self.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11+4

To seem religious while failing to bridle the tongue is to deceive one's own heart, and such religion is vain, empty and worthless.Lt 185, 1902, par. 17–18+4 The proof of self-deception is uncontrolled speech, which makes religious profession empty despite appearance of piety.Lt 185, 1902, par. 17–18+4 Those who name the name of Christ must therefore depart from all iniquity, no longer cherishing enmity against brethren nor speaking with unruly tongues.Lt 185, 1902, par. 17–18 Control of the tongue belongs to doing the engrafted and planted word that is able to save, in contrast to being a hearer only who forgets what he saw.Lt 187, 1903, par. 26–27+2 It belongs also to looking into the perfect law of liberty and continuing in it unto blessing, and it is the negative side of pure and undefiled religion before God, which is practical care for the fatherless and widows in affliction and distress and keeping oneself unspotted, unstained and clean from the world.Lt 187, 1903, par. 26–27+4 Carrying out this test brings God's blessing.Ms 68, 1897, par. 26

Religious profession must be matched by obedient conduct under all circumstances, for profession without obedience is worthless and its test is control of speech.Lt 185, 1902, par. 17–18+2 Knowing and teaching God's word without practicing it brings harm rather than blessing.Lt 52, 1876, par. 32–33 Religion is not merely theory or belief in the mind, nor piety in name only; it must be practiced in every part of life, shaping conduct, purifying the heart, and making the life a witness of integrity and devotion.Lt 35, 1876, par. 21+1 True religion is practiced obedience to God's Word in which the love of Jesus remains alive in the soul, God's truth and law are honored, and Christ's power guides and purifies the believer, lest piety disappear.Lt 224, 1906, par. 7–8 To bridle the tongue in this obedient life is to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath, to listen with attention and submit one to another, to wait before expressing difference of opinion in perplexing matters, to possess the soul in patience and cleanse the soul temple of passion, and to refuse irritation, unadvised speech, and anger against the Lord's workers when their plans and methods do not harmonize with one's own mind until it is surely known they are not making straight paths.Lt 87, 1898, par. 9–15 The doer who so looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues therein shall be blessed in his deeds, and his religion becomes pure religion and undefiled before God, to visit the fatherless and widows in affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world.Lt 87, 1898, par. 9–15

To deceive the heart is to be fooled about one's own character, condition and course.Ms 10, 1862, par. 11–15 It includes an inflated view of self shown in talking too much and using lofty expressions, which must be replaced by speaking humbly and plainly, controlling self, and receiving correction rather than trusting the inflated view.Ms 10, 1862, par. 11–15 It includes claiming infallibility in judgment while professing religion, which shows a failure to live honestly up to the profession and need to be taught by God.Lt 157, 1910, par. 6–7 It also happens because people are to a great extent under the influence of their own words and act out the sentiments they express, so an unbridled tongue deceives the heart into believing a wrong course is right.Lt 45, 1894, par. 7–8 Deceiving oneself in this way is linked to speaking in ways that mislead and bewilder others.Lt 405, 1904, par. 1–2

Unbridled words react upon the speaker, for thoughts expressed in words react upon the thoughts and produce more words, and the influence is felt not only upon oneself but upon others.Lt 45, 1894, par. 7–8 Opinions and decisions once expressed in hasty words to vent strong feeling are acted upon even when they lead to an entirely wrong course, because the iron will refuses from pride and self-centeredness to acknowledge error and retract them after more mature deliberation.Lt 45, 1894, par. 7–8 Such unwise words have mischievous influence that God alone can measure, hurting and wounding and bruising souls for whom Christ died, pleasing Satan, dishonoring God, ruining many souls, and bearing evil fruit whose results God alone can discern.Lt 45, 1894, par. 7–8 This self-deception through unbridled speech is bound up with misleading and bewildering others.Lt 405, 1904, par. 1–2

The verse belongs to the extended instruction of James 1:1-27, which one long in God's work with grave responsibilities must read carefully and prayerfully and apply to himself in taking heed to himself and to doctrine.Lt 185, 1902, par. 1–2 This personal application shows him his work to do to clear the King's highway and keeps him from being weighed in the balances and found wanting.Lt 185, 1902, par. 1–2 Especially James 1:19-27 calls for self-examination instead of judging others, requiring time and work to be spent proving the self rather than criticizing others.Ms 39, 1907, par. 20–22 It calls each person to examine whether he is in the faith and to prove whether Jesus Christ is in him, and points to the position God desires where Christ is enshrined in the heart.Ms 39, 1907, par. 20–22

True religion is not hearing the Word only, nor professing it, but receiving the engrafted word that is able to save and doing it in life.Lt 187, 1903, par. 26–27+4 A claim to be religious is empty and worthless if speech is not controlled, for lack of restraint shows the heart is deceived and makes religion vain.Lt 187, 1903, par. 26–27+4 Doing the Word rather than forgetting what was heard is what carries God's blessing.Ms 68, 1897, par. 26+3

God's law is a moral mirror, the perfect law of liberty, and the doer who looks into it, continues in it, and obeys it in daily life shall be blessed in deeds.Ms 4, 1902, par. 16+3 This practical instruction is to be brought into daily life and heeded day by day, and those who do so will triumph at last with the overcomers.Ms 4, 1902, par. 16+2 Profession without obedience is worthless, and control of speech is its test.Ms 4, 1902, par. 16+2

The positive side of the same test is pure and undefiled religion before God: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and distress, and to keep oneself unspotted and unstained from the world.Lt 187, 1903, par. 26–27+4 Serving those in need and remaining clean from the world, rather than profession alone, is what proves religion genuine.Lt 187, 1903, par. 26–27+3 Doing the Word in this way includes putting away all filthiness and evil.Ms 101, 1901, par. 56–57+1

It includes being swift to hear and slow to speak and slow to wrath, listening with attention, submitting one to another, waiting before expressing difference in perplexing matters, possessing the soul in patience, and cleansing the soul temple of passion.Ms 101, 1901, par. 56–57+2 It lays apart judging of others and much thought and talk of worldly and secular things, refusing irritation, unadvised speech, and anger when plans and methods do not harmonize with one's own mind.Ms 101, 1901, par. 56–57+2 Instead it beholds the Saviour and talks of heavenly things, with every business transaction closely criticized lest selfishness be interwoven and become a snare.Ms 101, 1901, par. 56–57+1

Genuine religion brings appetites, passions, emotions, thoughts, temper, and disposition under the guidance of reason and conscience.Ms 101, 1901, par. 32–33+2 A religion that does not govern the temper and control the tongue is not the religion of Christ; it is vain and will not secure salvation, nor can religion save when it fails to soften and subdue the heart.Ms 101, 1901, par. 32–33+1 Where the disposition is bridled there is room for peace and contentment, and the life becomes kind, patient, forbearing, compassionate, humble, and beneficent, so that speech does not dishonor God through sinful complaining.Ms 101, 1901, par. 32–33+3

To bridle the tongue is to hold speech under control as with a bridle, guarding words and actions and spirit so they do not give offense but are commended of God.Ms 13a, 1891, par. 33–34+1 It is to keep the lips as with a bridle by thinking no evil and speaking evil of no one.11MR 263.2+1 This requires more of Jesus and less of self, refusing to measure the experience of others by one's own and refusing to forsake or harshly treat those who err in some respects.11MR 263.2+1 If all were of the same mind and religious experience the church would lack the fullness needed for carrying forward the work.15MR 147.1 Faultfinding and censuring must cease, especially in the home where spoken words affect spouse and children, and keeping the tongue so restrained requires serious effort and prayerful watchfulness.Lt 49, 1905, par. 2

Bridling means learning to be subordinate and to obey, bringing the natural temperament and the striving for supremacy and command into subjection so that character becomes strength and efficiency for good.Ms 13a, 1891, par. 33–34 It means letting the truth influence the entire man and the life practices, watching unto prayer, knowing oneself, and never marring the work with a strong, masterly spirit.Ms 13a, 1891, par. 33–34 It requires repentance and confession until love pervades the heart, and war against jealousy ready to spring up at the least provocation, envy and evil surmising ready to flourish when cultivated, and wanting one's own way and will.11MR 263.2 That warfare is against these traits of character and not against one another.11MR 263.2

Bridling requires firm resolve never to speak harsh, impatient words.MYP 135.3+2 When impatient or angry words are spoken there must be no retaliation, but anger met with silence, for there is wonderful power in silence.MYP 135.3+2 Words spoken in reply to one who is angry act as a whip lashing temper into greater fury, while anger met by silence quickly dies away.MYP 135.3+2 With the tongue thus bridled there is victory in every trial of patience through which one is called to pass.MYP 135.3+2

Bridling requires being swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, listening with attention and submitting one to another.Lt 87, 1898, par. 9–15 Before expressing difference of opinion in perplexing matters there must be waiting, possessing the soul in patience and cleansing the soul temple of passion.Lt 87, 1898, par. 9–15 There must be no irritation, unadvised speech, or anger against workers when their plans and methods do not harmonize with one's own mind until it is surely known they are not making straight paths.Lt 87, 1898, par. 9–15 The doer who so looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues therein shall be blessed in deeds, and religion becomes pure and undefiled, to visit the fatherless and widows in affliction and to keep unspotted from the world.Lt 87, 1898, par. 9–15

No one can tame that unruly member by personal effort alone.Ms 11, 1888, par. 31–32+1 God does the work when the heart comes to Him humbly and in faith, with contrite supplication, earnest wrestling prayer, and whole consecration of self.Ms 11, 1888, par. 31–32+2 He sanctifies eyes and tongue, causes ears to refuse evil reports, and brings senses, appetites, and passions under control of the Spirit.15MR 181.3–183.2 Restraining speech under temptation and refusing words that would have a harmful influence is victory over self, achieved with God's help, showing a spirit held in check against provocation.Ms 115, 1898, par. 37

The bridled life speaks less and prays more, cultivating kind thoughts and speech.Ms 11, 1888, par. 31–32+2 It utters no word against brother or sister and does not criticize one another's actions, remembering that they also are tempted, perhaps more strongly.Ms 33, 1885, par. 16–17 It excuses others as one wishes to be excused, speaks well of others, and puts away evil speaking, evil surmising, accusing brethren, questioning motives, unkind and passionate words, and secret working to exalt self and disparage others.15MR 181.3–183.2 Without this, worship is a tainted offering and self-sufficient, self-exalted prayers are not heard, and lack of love for those for whom Christ died proves lack of genuine love for Christ.15MR 181.3–183.2 Those who go to ones thought to be doing wrong must have the spirit of meekness, of kindness, full of mercy and good fruits.15MR 181.3–183.2

Keeping the tongue so bridled shows love for God and requires having more of His love in the heart by studying the Bible, keeping the mind fixed on God, reading a verse in spare moments, and filling the heart with Bible truths so there is no room for idle thoughts and the little things of this life.Ms 33, 1885, par. 16–17 A mind so strengthened with the Word can meet temptation as Christ met it with It is written.Ms 33, 1885, par. 16–17 Gossiping and repeating what is seen or heard harms others and the institution, while praying more and talking less strengthens resistance to temptation and faithfulness.Lt 8, 1888, par. 11–13 Words are a talent in trust to be multiplied when invested in love and fear, to save and not destroy, and silence about others' faults is eloquence, while expatiating on defects separates the soul from God and brings condemnation.Ms 61, 1900, par. 12–15 This requires putting away mistaken judging of fellow workers, being unselfish, tender, pitiful and courteous, helping one another rather than speaking together of mistakes and errors, trusting wholly in God rather than finite strength, and being bound together and not separated.Ms 61, 1900, par. 12–15

This self-control is guarded by bearing only appointed responsibilities and trusting in God, keeping the heart pure and sweet and sympathetic.RH Oct 31, 1907 Gathering unappointed burdens overtaxes and leaves heart-weary and brain-weary to chafe and fret and scold, for God never compels hurried, complicated movements and is not glorified by overwork that destroys self-control.RH Oct 31, 1907 Holding the bridle means resisting irritated, fault-finding, gloomy speech toward friends or enemies, with constant irritation and provoking others counted a kind of swearing.Lt 11, 1897, par. 22–24 Control of speech goes with resisting oppressive thoughts and melancholy feelings.Lt 11, 1897, par. 22–24

Unbridled speech includes evil speaking, accusing of brethren, questioning of motives, evil surmising, tale-bearing, gossip, revealing of secrets, repeating what is seen and heard, and sowing of doubt, suspicion and disaffection, and such speech shows corrupt fruit rather than genuine Christian religion and reveals a selfish heart.Lt 98, 1896, par. 51–54+3 Religious profession is empty while the tongue is used to spread bitterness, suspicion and evil speaking that strengthen distrust, defile others and harm the work of God, and words and actions in this manner testify against the speaker because judgment regards what a person is now.Lt 98, 1896, par. 51–54+1 More distraction and wickedness in the church are caused by wrong use of the tongue and lack of governing speech than by anything else, including unkind words about another, passionate words, and secret working to exalt self and disparage others, in place of excusing others as one wishes to be excused, speaking well of others, talking less and praying more.15MR 181.3–183.2 Walking by this rule means taking part against the evil speaker by setting a continual watch before the mouth and keeping the door of the lips, speaking evil of no one and hearing evil of no one, because if there are no hearers there will be no speakers.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11+1 It requires checking anyone who speaks evil in one's presence and resolutely refusing to hear even when the manner is ever so soft and the accents mild, even when evil comes by sideways hints with professed attachment that stabs character in the dark, and even when the whisperer complains of being burdened until speaking, since such a burden is a cursed secret that separates close friends.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11 That burden must be delivered in the appointed way by first telling the brother alone, then with one or two friends, then as a last step telling it to the church, with not a particle told to an unbeliever and nothing published to enemies of the faith lest the weakness and errors of followers be exposed.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11

Unbridled speech also includes faultfinding, watching others about dress, constant talking, murmuring, gloomy complaining, censuring, and sinful repining that dishonors God.19MR 30.1–3+4 To bridle the tongue means to control an unconsecrated tongue by holding peace instead of faultfinding and watching others about dress, by ceasing constant talking, by refusing to exaggerate and to prepare material when facts are not at hand, and by keeping truth on one's side.19MR 30.1–3 One who fails in this effects nothing for good but injures the cause, disgusts others, lacks the qualifications of a Christian, and must be converted and reform or be lost.19MR 30.1–3 Holding firmly to the bridle is a duty especially when illness and weariness make a person more likely to speak harshly to friends or enemies, and constant irritation and provoking others with irritated, fault-finding, gloomy speech is a kind of swearing.21MR 24.2–3+1 Control of speech goes with resisting oppressive thoughts and melancholy feelings, with a purified mind, with growth in grace and knowledge of the truth, and with bringing appetites, passions, emotions and thoughts under guidance of reason and conscience.Lt 11, 1897, par. 22–24+2 The lesson applies with special force in the home, where faultfinding and censuring must cease because spoken words affect spouse and children, and keeping the tongue restrained there requires serious effort and prayerful watchfulness, with speech sober especially before unbelievers so testimony is clear and not weakened.Ms 160, 1904, par. 43–46+1

Unbridled speech further includes harsh, passionate, hasty, bitter, angry and provoking words that stir up strife, as well as exaggeration, careless or inaccurate speech, and false witness even while claiming to keep the commandments.Lt 64, 1888, par. 16–18+4 A person whose words, spirit and actions remain unconverted needs converting power, for harsh, hasty speech and a spirit of bitterness are not consistent with true religion, and a profession whose words and actions foster strife and harm others' faith displays vain religion instead of the fruits specified for genuine Christianity.Lt 64, 1888, par. 16–18+2 Gossip, tale-bearing, revealing secrets, criticizing others, exaggerating, and speaking carelessly or inaccurately are sinful even when there is no intention to mislead, and religious conversation should instead turn to spiritual and divine things.2T 185.2–186.1 Careless, untamable speech that exaggerates and bears false witness, even while claiming to keep God's commandments, reveals a heart not sanctified by truth.19MR 30.1–3+1

Such words wound and bruise souls for whom Christ died, defile others, strengthen distrust, weaken the church and faith, destroy influence for good and testimony before unbelievers, please Satan, dishonor God, ruin many souls, and bear evil fruit whose results God alone can measure and discern.Lt 97, 1896, par. 27–33+4 Unwise words spoken hastily to vent strong feeling have mischievous influence that God alone can measure, and harmful, unkind or passionate speech damages both others and the speaker.Lt 45, 1894, par. 7–8+1 Without a governed tongue worship is a tainted offering that will not be heard when prayers are self-sufficient and self-exalted, and lack of love for those for whom Christ died proves lack of genuine love for Christ.15MR 181.3–183.2

Neglect of prayer leaves little restraint on speech, and loss of first love bears fruit in evil speaking and other sins.ST2 43.1 Worldly, scheming, harsh, jealous conduct that hinders others' salvation shows religion empty and a heart unsanctified by truth.4T 331.1–2 Constant seeking of excitement, frivolity and pleasure while professing religion deceives the soul and lacks the genuine religious life that gives joy and peace, since worldly amusements provide only temporary diversion and cannot bring health to body or peace to soul, while excessive excitement is followed by depression and transgression brings disappointment and remorse.ST Jun 15, 1882+2

The test of the verse begins in the home, where religion is vain if the tongue is not governed.MYP 327.1+3 Harsh, passionate speech at home while praying, attending worship, and professing truth contradicts religion and deceives the speaker himself.2T 86.1+2 Such conduct leads the family to distrust both the speaker and the truth, and giving money to the church cannot buy salvation or a place in it; what is needed is a changed heart shown in treatment of wife and children.2T 86.1 Words in the home must be right — patient, meek, kind, and courteous — for without meekness, kindness, and courtesy there, testimony in the church amounts to nothing.MYP 327.1+1 Impatient words provoke retaliation and self-justification and bring remorse and harm to the speaker, while grace enables bearing provocation with Christlike forbearance, and keeping this restraint requires serious effort and prayerful watchfulness.RH Feb 27, 1913+1

Walking by this rule means taking God's part against the evil speaker by setting a continual watch before the mouth and keeping the door of the lips.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11+1 It requires speaking evil of no one and hearing evil of no one, because if there are no hearers there will be no speakers.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11 The evil speaker must be checked in one's presence, and listening must be resolutely refused even when the manner is ever so soft and the accents mild.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11 Refusal extends even to evil by sideways hints with professed attachment that stabs character in the dark, and even to the whisperer who complains of being burdened until speaking.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11 Such a burden is a cursed secret that separates close friends and must be delivered in God's appointed way by first telling the brother alone, then with one or two friends, then as a last step telling it to the church, with not a particle told to an unbeliever and nothing published to enemies of the faith lest the weakness and errors of Christ's followers be exposed.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11 This guarding of the mouth applies to women as well as men.2T 54.1–2

Each worker has a character to discipline and a tongue to bridle, for words are a talent in trust from God to be multiplied when invested in His love and fear.Ms 61, 1900, par. 12–15 Bridling requires putting away evil surmising and mistaken judging of fellow workers, being unselfish, tender, pitiful and courteous, and helping one another rather than speaking together of the mistakes and errors of one of the number.Ms 61, 1900, par. 12–15 Silence about others' faults is eloquence, while expatiating on defects separates the soul from God and brings condemnation.Ms 61, 1900, par. 12–15 The converting power of God must be seen upon the tongue in restraining words that should not be spoken, with hearts and minds controlled by the Holy Spirit through earnest wrestling prayer and whole consecration of self to God, so that workers speak words that save and not destroy, trust wholly in God rather than finite strength, help one another reach a higher standard, and are bound together and not separated.Ms 61, 1900, par. 12–15 Students likewise must bridle the tongue by keeping to themselves what they see and hear unless duty truly requires sharing, since talebearing breaks confidence, spreads distorted reports, and leads others to wrong conclusions.Ms 81, 1897, par. 19–21 Those who minister in word and doctrine must partake of the fruits of the Spirit, cultivate thankful hearts, and look to Christ, whose love changes character and makes room for peace and contentment.Lt 119, 1900, par. 18

For church unity, members who are busybodies, murmurers, and faultfinders, speaking evil and sowing seeds of doubt, infidelity, irritation, evil-surmisings and disaffection, counterworking the minister and breaking the unity of the brethren, must keep the tongue as with a bridle.15MR 163.3–164.2 If after faithful personal labor and the steps required by Christ they will not hear and change their course, they are to be separated, suspended from church membership to find some other place to worship, because their evil influence cannot have the sanction of the church or God's approval, would defile the church, and dishonors God's name.15MR 163.3–164.2 The verse is part of God's great remedy for the diseases of body and soul and God's health reform prescription, practical instruction to be brought into daily life and heeded day by day.8MR 1.1–2 Those who do so will triumph at last with the overcomers, growing in grace and knowledge of the truth, giving a clear, sober testimony especially before unbelievers, with tongue and voice sanctified to glorify God and give thanks instead of faultfinding, murmuring, and complaining.8MR 1.1–2+1 A person whose words, spirit, and actions remain unconverted needs God's converting power, for harsh, hasty speech and a spirit of bitterness are not consistent with true religion.Ms 24, 1887, par. 47–50

Failure by this rule leaves one weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and found wanting, so an entire thorough transformation must take place.Lt 30, 1868, par. 10–11+1 The extended instruction of James 1:1-27 must be read carefully and prayerfully and applied to oneself in taking heed to oneself and to doctrine, clearing the King's highway.Lt 185, 1902, par. 1–2 Words and actions testify against the speaker, for God judges a person by what they are now, and outward religious form without vital godliness and the deep working of the Spirit cannot save; believers must be purified and refined under the last message of mercy to the world.Lt 97, 1896, par. 27–33+1 Spreading bitterness, suspicion, and evil speaking reveals a selfish heart rather than genuine Christian character, strengthening distrust, defiling others, and harming the work of God.Lt 97, 1896, par. 27–33 Keeping the tongue bridled is part of disciplining self and learning Christ's meekness and lowliness rather than acting from self-confidence, with lips cleansed of rambling talk and heart, mind, and tongue sanctified by the Holy Spirit.Lt 15, 1896, par. 10+1 Restraining speech under temptation and refusing words that would have a harmful influence is victory over self, achieved with God's help, showing a spirit held in check against provocation.Ms 115, 1898, par. 37