James 1:26-27

   If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep
   a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his
   religion is worthless. 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.

   James 1:26-27

We have to work on controlling our selfish thoughts, motives, and desires. They cause so much unnecessary chaos and disorder in our lives! I feel like these verses hint at that concept. Our world teaches us to be all about ourselves and focus on getting whatever we can for ourselves, but that's not how God tells us to live. God tells us not to worry about "getting for ourselves" or worry about what each day will bring, but for us to look after "orphans and widows" and for us to "seek first the kingdom of GOD" (not our own kingdom) like we find in Matthew 6:33. These are just a few things that God asks of us throughout Scripture, but I think you can get the picture.

I feel like its becoming to common for us to see the "false religion" mentioned in the verses above. It seems to be all about appearance. People want to look good and religious around certain people at church on Sunday, but when they go home or interact with people during the week, you would never know God was a part of their lives. I'm guilty of this far more often than I'd like to admit and I pray for God to forgive me, and for Him to help me change. To keep a tighter reign on my tongue. To look after orphans, widows, the hurting and needy, and for me to not be polluted by the world I live in. I want to be more like my Savior, Jesus!