Moving away from the analogy of the mirror, James makes it clear that the doer of the Word is not simply someone who is involved in religious activity. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is in vain or is worthless. The person who simply trusts in religious activity for his spiritual growth will sooner or later expose his faithlessness with his mouth, because he does not have the inner power to bridle his tongue. Trusting in religious activity alone to please God and receive His blessing is deceptive and worthless. Even if a ritual or liturgy is biblical in it’s wording, it is as futile as pagan idolatry unless the heart is right with the Lord. A corrupt and unholy heart eventually will be exposed by corrupt and unholy speech. The tongue is not the only indicator of true spirituality but is one of the most reliable. If God does not control the tongue, it is a sure indicator that He does not control the heart either.