Give Me that Old Time Religion

Recently I heard shopper A talking to her friend, shopper B. She was commenting on the rude behavior of a nearby shopper C. Shopper A said to Shopper B, "she 'bout made me lose my religion". In other words, shopper A was offended/angered by Shopper C's behavior and wanted to confront her about it.

Losing one's religion is a Southern expression that is basically the same as "being at wit's end"only it carries the idea of using an angry tone and/or profanity.  In other words, a person that "loses their religion" will put aside their religious beliefs regarding Christian behavior, and will respond angrily to someone/something that offends them. Some people would call that, responding in a way that was "out of character". However, I think "losing one's religion" reveals their character, or rather, their lack of it. 

"If you claim to be religious but do not control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless." James 1: 26 NLT

Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines religion as: "godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his law".

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father, means caring for orphans & widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27 NLT

Biblical religion is based one's relationship with God. Therefore, "losing one's religion" reveals the depth of one's relationship with God. In this life, we are going to be offended/angered by all sorts of things that people say & do. Our response, when offended/angered, can make a huge difference to all who are within earshot.

"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare." Proverbs 15:1 NLT

Let us go into the new year, determined to let our lights shine for Jesus. Let's deepen our relationship with God and exercise our religion in service to our fellow man.