When someone asks a practicing Christian for their advice, that believer has a responsibility to the scriptures.  If we begin our advice with the phrase, “well the Bible says…” we better make sure the Bible actually says what you think it says.  You and I both need to be careful not to mix our opinion with scriptural truth – even when meeting over a cup of coffee.  Words are important!

Consider the bit in a horse’s mouth.  Verse 3 says, “3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.”  A horse can easily do the work of 18 full grown men.

My daughter really enjoys horses.  Natalie weighs in well under 100 pounds and she is probably not half as strong as any of those men.  YET… she can control the actions of an animal more than 10 times her weight and at least 40 times her strength with a small bit in the animal’s mouth.

In the same way, a huge ship is directed by a relatively small rudder.  Verse 4, “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.”  James is telling us that although our words are small, they are powerful and important:

  • Words direct brilliant minds to solve complex problems.
  • Words get revivals started in the church.
  • Words speak out against injustice in our community.
  • Words inspire great people to do great things.

Verse 5 says, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.”  The tongue might be a small part of the body, but it has  great power in its influence.

Both the bit and the rudder have power to direct a mass far greater than itself.  These small implements overcome opposing forces and change the natural direction of a much larger object than itself.

The tongue also has the power to influence a much larger object than itself.  It has the power to move people.  It can change the natural direction of things.

How important it is that we are careful with our words and direct people in a scriptural way!  It is especially important when we consider how much potential danger there is within our words if we direct someone in a non-scriptural way.