Begin your time with prayer
Scripture
James 3:1-5 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.
Reactions
What stands out to you in this passage?
Digging below the surface
List the two figures of speech James uses here.
What does he compare the tongue to?
Why do we put bits in horses’ mouths and a rudder on a boat?
What does this have to do with our tongue?
Making it stick
Do you have trouble with your words?
Where is your struggle coming from?
What does God expect from us in our words?
Notes
Do you ever feel like your tongue has a mind of its own? I know I do! “Where did THAT come from?” I think after saying something I didn’t mean.
I like James’ illustrations in this passage because they give us insight into a solution for our problems with our words. A horse’s bit and a boat’s rudder are used by someone else to steer them. Believe it or not, we do actually have control over what our tongues say. Jesus said that our mouths speak what our hearts feel (Luke 6:45). So even if I didn’t “mean” to say something, those words came from my heart.
Is my will or my emotions guiding the ship of my heart? Am I letting God transform me from the inside out so that my words reflect a Christ-like heart?
Also, James speaks here of being a teacher. Are you aware of how you influence others, no matter what your position in life? Everyone has someone looking up to them. That privilege comes with serious responsibility. Our words have the power to lead others in a right or a wrong way. Are we using them wisely?
Lord, I say a lot of stupid and thoughtless words. Too often it’s because I take over the reigns. I want you to control my heart and change me so that my words come from a pure heart that loves others. Guard my mouth and give me your words to speak. Amen.
Oh Elizabeth. I know this all too well. I struggle so much with my mouth and apparently my heart needs some healing. I’m in a study called, ” Driven by Eternity”. Last night through the words of this study, God laid it on my heart to pray in thankfulness for all the things that are good all around the world that happen in a 60 second time slot. I was going for 60 in 60. It was pretty interesting . Did I get to 60 nah, I think I don’t have a grateful enough heart yet. In this study it talked about time being a gift from God. How do I approach this as a Christian? What does this have to do with this study you may ask? Everything sort of , I believe we have to look at everything we say and do to conform to a scriptural way of life. We are human and make mistakes but God knows our hearts. Keep on keepin on.
Patty, thank you so much for sharing! Yes, God’s word is a guide for our steps every day. We all have so much to learn. Thank the Lord he is gracious!