Toungue defile the whole Body (James 3:3 to 7)

  

James 3:3  Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whither soever the governor listeth.

5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

 

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The passage discusses here about the bits on horse mouth to make them obey and likewise ship although driven of fierce winds but turned by small helm as per the wish of the captain. Tongue is like wise a very small part of the body of the human being but boast great things and kindle a great fire. The tongue defiled the whole body and put on fire the course of nature.

 

1.We put bits to horse and rudder in ships to control: A small bit in the mouth controls a strong horse and small rudder turns a large ship. Likewise, so, if we have control over our tongue, it is an indication that we have control over our self. Whoever can control the tongue can bridle the whole body (James 3:2).

 

i. The bit and the rudder are small but extremely important. If they are not controlled the entire horse is out of control and the entire ship is out of control. It is possible for something as small as the tongue is to have tremendous power for either good or evil.

 

ii. You don’t solve the problem of an unruly horse by keeping it in the barn, or the problem of a hard-to-steer ship by keeping it tied to the dock. In the same way, even a vow of silence is not the ultimate answer for the misuse of our tongue.

 

iii. If the tongue is like a bit in the mouth of a horse or the rudder on a ship, it leaves us with the question: Who or what holds the reins, or who or what directs the rudder? Some people have no hand on the reins or rudder, and therefore say whatever comes into mind. Others direct their tongue from their emotions or from aspects of their carnal nature. James points us towards having the Spirit of God, working through the new man, set directing hands on the reins and rudder that is our tongue.

 

2.little fire can kindle so great forest and likewise the tongue cis sad to set on file of hell: The fire of the tongue has been used to burn many.

 

i. “In the two former illustrations, animals and ships are controlled by small objects; in this last illustration, a huge forest is destroyed by a tiny spark. The tongue likewise can either control or destroy.”

 

ii. What others say to us and what we say to others can last a long time, for good or for evil. The casual sarcastic or critical remark can inflict a lasting injury on another person. The well-timed encouragement or compliment can inspire someone for the rest of their life.

 

iii. Proverbs speaks of the person who doesn’t consider the destructive power of his words. Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbour, and says, “I was only joking!” (Prob.26:18-19).

 

iv. Again, James isn’t telling us to never speak or to take a vow of silence; in many ways that would be easier than exercising true self-control over the tongue. The bridle, the rudder, and the fire can all do tremendous good when they are controlled properly.

 

3.The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: There aren’t many sins that don’t involve talking in some way and it is vice versa.

 

i. “It can run the world over and bite at everybody; being as a sharp razor that instead of shaving the hair cutteth the throat, (Psalm 52:2). It is made in the shape of sword; and David felt it as a sword in his bones, (Psalm 43:10).

 

ii. James echoes the testimony of Proverbs regarding the tongue: · In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. (Prov.10:19-21). Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. (Prov.12:25). Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. (Prov.16:24).

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Prob.18:21).

 

Bible says in Proverbs:

Prov.15:1 soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Porv. 21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Hence let us keep a watch over our tongue.