Good morning, Champion
Master the mouth
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.
Here we see James comparing the mastering of our mouths to a couple of significant things. Firstly to a strong horse – he uses the analogy that, when you have the control of a horse's mouth, you have control of where they both can and can't go. Next, he uses the example of a great ship and its rudder, again making the point that when you have control of that small part called the rudder, you actually have control over the whole ship, and you hold the power to cause it to set sail where you so desire.
James is speaking strongly concerning the mouth and the need for it's mastering, reminding us that it has the potential to take us to places we don't want to go, as well as places we do. The mouth is such a small part of the body, yet has incredible power given to it. When I look back over my life I see that my tongue got me into a lot of trouble, but also brought me into a lot of good when I allowed God to control it.
It can be used positively or negatively, according to our choice. It has the power to disqualify as well as qualify. Remember the sad account of the children of Israel on the edge of the promised land and how they managed to talk themselves out of everything that God had promised that they could have – incredible things that were just footsteps away? Let us be ever cautious concerning where we allow our tongue to take us – it is such a small part of who we are physically but has the power to start a big lot of trouble!
Wow, think on that today, Champion – that little pink thing that lives in your mouth has the potential to take you to great places, but out of control has the power to ruin you and leave you where you never wanted to be.
Use it wisely, Champion – master the rudder of the mouth and you can master where you will arrive at next.
God bless,
Andy
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