Tag: bridle
Tongues, Bits, and Rudders!
Scripture reading for November 4: James 3
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also; though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.” James 3:1-5
James was giving practical wisdom to believers in Jesus Christ. He shared two practical illustrations taken from their culture about self-control and guidance and applied these to our human body and the tongue. The first illustration was the bit on a bridle of a horse. The horse is a big and powerful animal but is trained to respond to the rider through pressure and even pain applied to his mouth through the bit. As the bit is applied to the horse’s mouth, the pressure and pain causes the horse to respond and obey the rider. It brings correction of direction and actions. The second illustration was the small rudder on a big ship or boat. As the rudder was turned to deflect the water, the ship would go as the pilot directed it through applying appropriate pressure and direction to the small rudder.
Using these two illustrations, James encouraged the believers to use their small tongues judiciously. They must be careful in using their tongues to teach. False teaching or lies can lead those who hear in a wrong direction to their destruction. What we say and confess directs our own lives either on the path of faith or the destructive course of fear, anger and unbelief. Tongues can also spread gossip or back-biting which is like a fire causing strife and division. A wise tongue can bring direction and correction. A wise tongue knows when to speak and how to keep quiet. A wise tongue brings our bodies under control like the bit in the horse’s mouth or the rudder on the great ship.
Have you ever ridden a horse with a bridle and bit in it’s mouth? What are some ways that you have had to bridle your own tongue to change direction and make corrections? What one change could you make in the use of your tongue that would help you and others to walk by faith?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the many times I have spoken with my tongue and hurt others or set a bad course of direction to my life and hurt my family. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and put Your bit in my mouth through confessing Your Word and speaking life and truth. Amen!