Read James 3:3-5. What do the two illustrations have in common, and how do they relate to the tongue? Both the bit in a horse’s mouth and the rudder of a ship are very small compared to what they control. Yet, with a slight movement of the hand, the horse’s or the ship’s direction can be completely changed. By the same token, even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things (vs. 5, NKJV). In other words, a word or even a look or a gesture might seem small, but each can change a friend into an enemy or transform a bad situation into something good. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger (Prov. 15:1). Imagine a horse galloping at full speed and a ship slicing through the water at full throttle but both headed in the wrong direction. The faster something goes, the farther away it gets from its destination. The best course then is to stop and turn around as soon as possible. The same is true of our words. If a conversation is going from bad to worse, the sooner we stop the better. Read Luke 9:51-56. What was Jesus’ response to the suggestion of the disciples? What was the result, and what lessons might this story have for us?
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:08:16 +0000
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