Week 20: Day 2
Do you believe your words have power? Today Simon is reflecting on James 3:3-5.
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.
Intro: Hi guys we are back for Tuesday of Orbit on James 3 moving a few verses more into the chapter, and James still has plenty to teach us here so let’s go.
Bible: James 3:3-5 says:
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.
Thoughts: Who remembers when you were a kid and going to the doctor and they used to ask us to stick out our tongues?! My doctor always seemed to be able to tell a great deal about my health by looking into my mouth!
What comes out of our mouths is usually an accurate indicator of the health of our hearts. Jesus himself said: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).
Why? Because of the great potential to sin with your tongue!
If any of us want to get our act together and try to better our faith and our spiritual life, we best do this by working on our tongue. Well, we know that it’s not fully possible to get it right all of the time, but if we are able to control our tongue, we will control our body. Focus on your mouth!
I love the analogies here as well James uses – have you seen wild horses running around up close? I have, and it’s terrifying and beautiful all in one go! But just a small piece of metal in a horse’s mouth can control these huge and strong animals. By controlling the horse’s tongue, you control the horse’s movements. A horse is useless without that. Did you ever know a horse to volunteer to pull a wagon or carry a rider? You break them with a bit in the mouth, and you control the whole body by controlling the tongue. You get control of your tongue, and you can direct your whole body. Everything else comes into line. Without the control of the tongue, the horse is absolutely useless. And a wild runaway horse is absolutely good for nothing, just running around.
Maybe some of you have been on some of the modern cruise ships – I haven’t – yet! Some of them are so ginormous they are floating cities! James reminds us that it’s a relatively small piece of equipment – the rudder – that steers the ship. And you know, power applied at the right point is enough to control the whole ship, no matter how big!
Prayer: Lord help us to realise that there is great power and responsibility as your followers in what we say, how we say it, and how we glorify you with our words. Help us to get it right today. Amen
Silence: And now a few moments of silence for you to pray, reflect on these ideas, or simply sit and be still.
Action: We know that words are like weapons, they wound sometimes. Today I want to challenge you to be purposeful with your words - Speak kind words, loving, true words, thoughtful and sensitive words, gentle words, comforting words, words of blessing, words of humility, words of wisdom, words of thanksgiving.
Outro: Focus on your mouth! A simple direct and effective message from James. See you tomorrow for more James 3!