Sunday, February 18, 2018

Horses Turns by Bits James 3:3


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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