The
people within the “twelve tribes scattered
abroad” were instructed by James not to
“be many masters” because they would be
held to a greater “condemnation”.
He declared how “in many things we offend
all” and that “if
any man offend not in word, the same is
a perfect man” who is able to “bridle
the whole body”. In chapter three and verse
three of his letter, James used “bits”
in “horses' mouths”
as an example of the offensive tongue where we read:
Behold, we
put bits in the horses' mouths,
that they
may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
The
verse begins, “Behold, we put bits in the horses'
mouths,...” James began with
the word, “Behold”
or “lo, look and see”, “we put bits”
or “bridles” “in the horses' mouths”
which refers to “the mouths of horses”. James desires for his
readers to think about putting “bridles” in “horses'
mouths” which are small
devises that help to guide the horse.
The
verse goes on to say, “...that
they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.” James
added, “that they may obey us”
which means “so the horses are able to be persuaded, induced and
complied with”; “and we turn about”
or “transfer, lead and direct” “their whole body”
which means “completely and all of the body of the horse”.
“Horses” are
“turned about and directed” by the small “bridles” which are
placed in their mouths.
When
we think through these words of James, we can visualize the effect
that a “small bridle” has upon a large horse. With the rider's
slight pull on the reigns a horse will turn to the left or the right
and can be made to gallop or halt. In like kind, the “tongue”,
though it is small, is able to “build up” or “tear down”
others, and as servants of Jesus Christ, we should realize the power
that is within it. More people have been caused to “abhor”
Christianity and the church because of an “offensive tongue”, and
if we understand the importance of James' illustration, we will be
reminded just how powerful unbridled tongues are.
Next
time James uses
the example of “ships”
and
“rudders”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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