Rudders and Bits

 Look at the words in James 3:2 (NKJV). It reads: "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires." I want to focus on this verse for a few reasons. It makes us realize we should be 1)aware of our words, 2) how powerful they are, and that 3) they have the ability to restrain our physical bodies. Words also hold the power of life and death, to build up or destroy (Proverbs 18:21). That's a powerful and rather chilling statement!  Words are not only powerful, but someday we are going to give an account of things we have said. (Isaiah 59:2-3). 

What does this Scripture mean by comparing the tongue to the rudder of a large ship? Look closely at the language. James 3: 4-14“They are turned… wherever the pilot desires.” Think about it. Who is the one controlling the rudder? The pilot. Who is the one controlling your tongue? You. This Scripture is telling you that you can turn your life in whatever direction you desire, by using your tongue. I believe Holy Spirit is inviting us to reflect on the use of our life’s rudder. I hear Him gently asking us to think about this question: What have we been allowing to come out of our mouths?

James  continues saying our tongues (speech/WORDS) both curse and bless. We praise God one minute and in anger curse Him in the next. How easily our tongues can be used to steer us away from the things of God. Though the tongue is a small member (verse 5) "it is set on fire of hell" and "is a world of iniquity" (verse 6.) Again, that's a powerful and rather chilling statement! 

When we release words like, “He’s a lazy bum, just like his father!” When we use the power of our tongues to label people in negative ways, we are setting into motion a spiritual law! Believe me, we are not simply “making an observation.” Our tongues loose life, or death, into the world around us. We will live to see the fruit of whichever way we harness this innate capacity. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21).

Have you ever put yourself down? “I’m such a dummy!” So many times, we even use one of the most powerful instruments God has given us – our tongue – to speak curses over own selves. These negative pronouncements become self-fulfilling prophecies. What kind of tongue-fruit do we want to eat in our future? Do we want to steer our lives in the direction of hope, growth, and flourishing that He has for us? 

Then in all that, James finishes by saying  "no man can tame the tongue!" (verses7-8)! So what are we to do? James gives us a bit of hope when he said we can learn to steer our tongues like a rudder does for a boat or like a bit in a horses mouth. A rudder's purpose is to steer the boat in a particular direction. A bit in a horses mouth steers the horse in a particular direction. Neither boat or horse are halted by rudder or bit, but rather steered in a direction by driver or rider.  It's the same regarding our words. As Christians, we should always strive to steer our tongues as God would have us just as we will always be working to restrain our bodies. Why? Because "we all stumble in many things" James says.

The truth is, words actually reveal the true nature of a person.  It is "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew12:34). The words you speak reveal the spiritual condition of your heart! This is so important that the Bible teaches, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). We must be vigilant in keeping our hearts spiritually fit because the words that flow from it have the power of life and death. Scriptures further tell us that the Lord tests the heart, the Lord weighs the heart, the Lord detests a proud heart, the Lord hates a perverse heart,” and many more. In this verse we are instructed to “keep” our heart; meaning watch over, cultivate, and protect it. Why? It is the command center of the soul, the mind, the will, the affections, AND WHAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH! If our hearts are grounded and anchored in God's Word, what comes out of our mouths should be His love, grace and mercy!

Somewhere as you read this blog you may have questioned, 'if the tongue is a world of iniquity that cannot be tamed anyway, then what am I supposed to do? Scripture says, we can start by cleansing our hearts on a daily basis. How? By flooding/washing it with the Word of God (Ephesians 5:25-26). The Word of God deals with things in our mind, things that deal with conduct, things that have to do with character and attitude. The more we "cleanse" ourselves by reading Gods word, we will find it easier and easier to restrain the tongue. How? The Word of God keeps our hearts clean by pointing out the areas that need changing and confession. It helps to remove the dirt because it convicts those who read it reverently and also by warning us to keep away from sin. You will never control your tongue altogether since scripture affirms it is untamable, but you can bridle it, restrain it, hold it back, and curb it. We should use our tongue to glorify and honor God throughout the day as Psalm 34:1 proclaims, "I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth."  

I challenge you to praise God with your words on a daily basis and watch how your life will change.

Here are some scriptures that confirm this blog:

Ephesians 4:29

Proverbs 19:19

Proverbs 21:23

Proverbs 15: 1,4 

Psalm 19:14

Proverbs 18:21

There's only one way to protect your tongue: protect your heart! Let’s partner with Him, using the tools He has provided. Let’s ask for Holy Spirit’s help in the operation of this tiny, mighty rudder. Let’s make the determination that only words of life will flow from these mouths of ours. We want to steer our lives in the direction of hope, growth, and flourishing that He has for us.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-