December 4, 2020
Bridle Your Tongue
My beloved child watch the words that come from your mouth; you are prophesying your future when you speak. Take control of your tongue, for it will keep your soul from trouble and preserve your life. (Proverbs 21:23) The tongue is like a bit in a horse’s mouth. A bit is a small device that controls, it has enormous power and vitality over the horse, and it’s used to give direction. (James 3:3) And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.
In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. (James 3:4-5 NLT) James was very familiar with this picture in his own life, for he had seen the powerful Roman military horses and heard stories of chariot races. A bit is tiny, yet it is strong and influential. So, it is with the tongue. A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. When a farmer puts a bridle in a horse’s mouth, it takes a while to tame a wild horse – the horse’s mouth becomes very sore for a time until it gets used to the bridle, and it is the same with your tongue – it takes a while to control your tongue, but if you stay at it consistently you can do it! Pray, set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalms 141:3) If you claim to be a Christian but do not control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. (James 1:26)
The tongue is also like a rudder on a large ship in the hands of a skilled captain. He sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no significance, but it can accomplish almost anything, or it can destroy nearly everything. Why? There is life and death in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 18:21) It only takes a spark to set off a forest fire. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6) A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do the same ruin everything. (Proverbs 13:3)
By our speech, we can ruin the lives of those around us, or we can turn chaos into harmony. We can be a blessing with the words of our mouth, or we can curse the lives of others. There is life and death in the power of your tongue. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. (Psalms 34:13) A fool’s tongue is long enough to cut his – own throat! A gentle tongue is a tree of life! (Proverbs 15:4) Control your tongue, and you will live a long life. (Proverbs 13:3) Use your words wisely! Speak life and blessings!
