Tag: James 3
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!
Wisdom from above!
Scripture reading for November 3rd: James 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
James urged his fellow-believers to seek godly wisdom and avoid worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom springs from a heart that is selfish and ambitious. This “so-called” wisdom is actually from the devil and brings envy, jealousy, and disorder and strife along with evil works. But God’s wisdom comes from His throne and is pure and peace-loving and full of mercy. This wisdom brings a harvest of good fruit and works of righteousness. “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called sons of God”. (Matthew 5:9)
Observations for over-comers: Godly wisdom belongs to those who follow Jesus Christ and seek His will and Word for wisdom from above. “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut of the memory of them from the earth.” (Psalm 34:14-16)
The tongue is a fire!
Scripture reading for November 4th: James 3
Another area of self deception concerned the use of our tongues. (James 1:26) Our tongues can easily get out of control. We can use them to bless and also to curse. We can boast, gossip, complain, criticize or judge others by allowing our tongues to speak what is in our unredeemed heart. James sought to warn the believers and us today about the evils of a tongue out of control.
“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” . . .”Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 32, 5-6)
James did not sugar-coat the dangers of a tongue out of control. The forces of hell are behind the evil use of this small member of our body. James went on to state that no man can tame the tongue. Only under the power of the Holy Spirit can we use our tongues to be a blessing to others. Our hearts must be made new by new birth and the indwelling of Christ’s Spirit. When believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit, the initial sign was speaking in new tongues. ( Acts 2:4) “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” Let your tongue flow with the wisdom from heaven! (James 3:17-18)