"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. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!"
At times, the Bible can be difficult to understand when we are presented with religious terminology, challenging concepts, and cultural differences. In those instances, practical examples and imagery play a vital role in unpacking theological truth that aids our spiritual growth and application of Scripture. In these verses, James uses a horse and ship to illustrate the importance of self-control as it relates to our tongue.
A horse is a powerful animal. No man dares approach a horse without first understanding that at the core it is wild. Without proper training, a horse is subject to no one, and will buck violently if anyone dares to attempt to break its will. Moreover, a horse can seriously injure someone who attempts to climb on board its back without a bit in its mouth to steer it properly and ensure the safety of the rider.
Our tongue is also powerful and capable of great destruction. At the core, it too is wild due to the sin of Adam we inherited. Therefore, because sin is our natural bent, we must purposely train our tongues to speak blessing rather than cursing, to edify and not tear down. Our words have great meaning, and we can look no further than those closest to us for verification of this truth. When we say something hurtful or disparaging, it can send shrapnel that pierces deep and scars the psyche. For those of us who have ever made such a comment to our wives about their physical appearance, for example, we know that our words are never forgotten no matter how many years or decades have passed. Bottom-line, until we recognize the power of our words and control them accordingly, like a wild stallion they will run free without regard for anyone else other than ourselves.
Similarly, a ship is massive in size and scale but steered by a rudder, minuscule in comparison. The ship represents our body and the rudder, our tongue, that directs our path in many ways. But the tongue is only submissive to our heart's leading, making the importance of the source far more critical because it reveals what lies beneath the surface. Our tongue can be trained though to speak respectfully, honestly, and with restraint, but those attributes will only come out of a heart that glorifies God rather than self.
Think of it this way: Secular wisdom says, "There is nothing that comes out of the mouth of a drunk that wasn't there in the first place." Similarly, Scripture states, "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person" (Matthew 15:18). Both sayings are true regardless of their source, so there is no debate. Therefore, if we want to tame our tongue, we must first learn self-control at the heart level. Otherwise, we are simply expecting band-aids to cure Stage 4 cancer, or as James might analogize, controlling a widespread forest fire with a water pistol. Either way, our surface attempts at self control will only prove futile.
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