James 3:3-6 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Our tongues are small but mighty, and if we can control our tongues, we can control our lives. Furthermore, our tongues, although a small part of the body, can do such great damage that sometimes can take years to undo. James illustrates this with three clear and well-recognized examples. A bit in the horse's mouth, the rudder of the ship, and a tiny spark that sets a great forest on fire.
The majestic horse, left in its natural state, is a powerful creature that can inflict severe damage on other animals and humans alike. When we put a bit in the mouth of a horse, we can then control the actions and direction of this enormous beast. An interesting point here is that the bit in the horse's mouth goes over the tongue, so what we do to the tongue of the horse controls the horse. So, as we bridle the horse, so must we bridle our tongues in submission to God (Psalm 32:9).
The Symphony of the Seas cruise ship is the world's largest passenger ship afloat today. It weighs more than 228,021 tons and can carry over 9,000 passengers and crew. It is 1,288 feet long, with 18 decks and 23 swimming pools. The direction in which this gigantic vessel travels is controlled by a relatively small piece of metal called the rudder.
In our natural state our sinful nature, which exists in the hearts of all people, alone under our power, we are unable to control our tongues at any point in time. Consequently, our sinful nature and the fallen world around us produce envy, strife, and especially pride. And its pride which James mentions here ("but it makes great boasts" 3:5) as a tiny spark that sets an entire forest on fire.
The tongue, which is a small member of our body, can tear lives apart and bring incredible destruction because the tongue spews content from the natural sin state in which we live. The words that come from our tongues come from the source that feeds our souls. There are only two sources from which this can originate, and if that source is not God, then it is from the evil of Satan.
When believers and followers of Christ Jesus, in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, turn their lives over to the Lord, seeking His will in humility and meekness, they gain the ability to control their tongues by the work and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who leads, guides, and directs our lives. Only when we have turned our lives over to Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior is this possible.
When this does happen, we will be able to be a better reflector for the light of Christ Jesus that shines through the darkness of a lost and dying world (John 8:12).
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