Direction

 

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants them to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

James 3:3-5 (NIV) 

Probably most of the sermons and studies you have heard on these verses from James have to do with the impact your words have on others. Not all the bullying we hear through the news is physical bullying. Nor is all the abuse that one person suffers at the hands of another physical.

Certainly, the statements above are true. However, for this article I want you to look at the idea of “bit” and “rudder” as compared to tongue. Both bit and rudder are used to set direction. Have you ever thought that your tongue may be a bit or a rudder for your whole life. “If you want to know where you’ll be in five years listen to what you talk about most now.”[1]

It’s a scary thing, isn’t it? Take time to think about how trivial much of our conversation is, how uncouth, crude, and, sometimes vulgar. I do not mean to say that every word that comes out of our mouths needs to be some deep philosophical or theological thought, full of long words and heavy. It is obvious that the uncouth, crude, and vulgar parts we need to do without. I hope it is clear that God created joy and laughter and wants our hearts to be light and enjoy the lives he has given to us. However, we should be mindful that while our words do impact the people we direct them towards, those same words our steering our lives at the same time.

You are steering a course. If you continue to follow your tongue, where would you say your destination will ultimately be?

Pastor Craig

---

[1] #lovlikejesus