Re:Verse passage – James 3:1-12 (day four)
Horse bits, ship rudders, fire, animals, fountains…James uses practical examples that everyone will understand. Each example cites a small item that controls a much larger object or two incompatible substances that originate from the same source. All of his metaphors refer to the great damage that the tongue can cause. None of us can control our tongue…only God can control it. Proverbs 18:21 says “death and life are in the power of the tongue”. Matthew 15:18 says “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
How can we allow God to control our tongue? Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” To season our words, we need to begin every day reading God’s Word. Remember…it is the heart that controls the tongue. What is in your heart? “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” (Matthew 12:34)
