The Helm of Ships James 3:4

As the people read the letter from James, they were exhorted to not “be many masters” because they would “receive the greater condemnation”. James used the “bits” in “horses' mouths” to describe how a small “bridle” could move an entire horse, and in chapter three and verse four of his letter, James employed the example of “a very small helm” in a “ship” to demonstrate the power of the tongue where we read:

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, whithersoever the governor lists.

The verse begins, “Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds,...” James began with the word, “Behold” or “lo, look and see” “also the ships” which were “sailing vessels”, “which though they be” or “exist and present themselves” “so great” which means “of large size and bulk”, “and are driven” or “carried, propelled and sail” “of fierce winds” which refers to “harsh, rough, stiff, violent, stern and intolerable agitations and streams of air”. James desired for his readers to recall how huge “ships” are “propelled” by strong and agitating “winds”.

The verse goes on to say, “...yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor lists.” James added, “yet are they turned about”which means “the ships are transferred, lead over and directed by” a very small helm” which refers to “a least in size rudder and blade of an oar”, “whithersoever” which means “wherever and whither” “the governor” or “the steersman and helmsman” “lists” which is an old English word meaning “purposes, desires and wills deliberately”. Though “ships” are often large in size, they can be easily “directed” by a small “rudder or oar”.

When we consider these words of James, we see another example of the way such a small devise has a huge impact upon a larger body. Horses are turned about with bits, ships are directed by their rudders, and tongues affect the entire body of a person and the way they are perceived. Jesus Christ desires that we have a relationship with Him, and when we do, He affects change in everything in our lives including our tongues. As we reflect upon this idea, may God Almighty and His Son Jesus help us to know the importance of taming our little tongue.

Next time James shares how the “tongue is a little member, and boast great things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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