James 1:26-27 Idol Relationship and False Religion

James 1:26-27

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Many times I see people say it is more important to have a relationship with the Lord than to be religious, as if the word religion is a foul swear word. What does the word of God say and what is the definition of religion, why don’t we study this word religion and its  origins. Religion origins come from the latin term religi?, which started around the 1st century. The word came out of the Roman Empire and what it meant was  in the sense of “scrupulous or strict observance of anything. This word fits those who have a desire for the word of God. In my NASB translation English Bible the word is first found in 1 Samuel 15:23;

1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry. Since you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.”

I personally think it is funny that the word religion in 1 Samuel 15:3 is calling King Saul relationship or religion with the Lord false, just like James 1:26-27 says our religion is worthless if we can’t control our tongue and even 1 Samuel 15:23 calls it idolatry. King Saul was chosen by God to be a king of Israel and he had a humble beginning but with being crown king, and in control of all Israel, pride entered his heart. In Saul’s beginning he got guidance from the prophet Samuel, but one day he got impatience  and performed sacrificial worship, by listening to himself and not by the guidance or commandment of God. Therefore at the time, Saul’s relationship with God became false when he performed religion to his own desires. James says our religion will be worthless, if we can’t control our tongue or have our mouth be bridle let people ride a house wanna go to the left or right. The prophet  Samuel calls King Saul religion false and a form of Idolatry which is the worship of a false god. King Saul had stopped listening to the word of God and did worship however he felt like. If religion is  observing God’s commandment, like the latin definition tells Christian do, if you follow your own commands and desires, you make yourself an idol god. So it is important to have a close relationship with the Lord and have true religion.t Dear beloved ,there is no reason to say religion is a bad word and is very important to have a relationship with our Father God, the two words are like James says in his epistle to all the believers of God. God bless you all, the Lord Jesus loves you and so do I. Samuel H

Colossians 2:20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of man? 23 These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

https://youtu.be/EaIE8hUHrxk