Word@Work James26 - James 3:3-5
Published: Tue, 03/17/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
MIGHTY MIDGETS
James 3:3-5 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 to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (NIV)
Horse riders can use a variety of bits in the animal's mouth, but the effect of all of them is to provide a means of applying a little pressure on the bare 'bars' or gums of the lower jaw, between the incisors and cheek teeth. That pressure, controlled by reigns, is enough to encourage the horse to turn. The effect is huge compared to the small and sensitive movements of the reigns on the bridle. Likewise, the large turning effect caused by a small rudder is a well known and essential part of ship building and seamanship. In the same way, one small spark is enough to kindle a forest fire and devastate vast areas of countryside.
James uses these three examples of disproportionate effects as metaphors for the action of the tongue. Compared to the size of the human body, the tongue is very small. Like the bit and rudder, it is hidden for most of the time. Like the spark it can start something that is almost impossible to stop. Although it is small, it can make out that it's owner is bigger and better than the truth will allow. At the same time as elevating its master, the tongue can crush other people, making them unable to function. Like the forest fire, one spark of untrue rumour can sweep through whole communities to ruin reputations and leave a legacy of mistrust.
Words, however communicated, are very powerful indeed. They can demonstrate truth or fabricate lies. All businesses, whether trade or profession, service industry or manufacturing, depend on words for everything from advertising to customer relations. Manipulating words, to produce a desired management or sales effect, has become a conjurer's skill, deceiving people into trusting motives that are false and phoney relationships that use people like pawns on a chess board. James would have remembered that Jesus said, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No', 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5:37). If James remembered, let us not forget that our words at work can wreck everything many people's actions can build. That is why we need God's Word to work in us today so that we can turn people to His light.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for this reminder that Christians should speak with truth, Christ-like purpose and self-control. To fail in this discipline is to disappoint You and devastate others. Please be my Helper today, so that I may use my words to build truth and expose lies, just as Jesus did. For His great Name's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Horse riders can use a variety of bits in the animal's mouth, but the effect of all of them is to provide a means of applying a little pressure on the bare 'bars' or gums of the lower jaw, between the incisors and cheek teeth. That pressure, controlled by reigns, is enough to encourage the horse to turn. The effect is huge compared to the small and sensitive movements of the reigns on the bridle. Likewise, the large turning effect caused by a small rudder is a well known and essential part of ship building and seamanship. In the same way, one small spark is enough to kindle a forest fire and devastate vast areas of countryside.
James uses these three examples of disproportionate effects as metaphors for the action of the tongue. Compared to the size of the human body, the tongue is very small. Like the bit and rudder, it is hidden for most of the time. Like the spark it can start something that is almost impossible to stop. Although it is small, it can make out that it's owner is bigger and better than the truth will allow. At the same time as elevating its master, the tongue can crush other people, making them unable to function. Like the forest fire, one spark of untrue rumour can sweep through whole communities to ruin reputations and leave a legacy of mistrust.
Words, however communicated, are very powerful indeed. They can demonstrate truth or fabricate lies. All businesses, whether trade or profession, service industry or manufacturing, depend on words for everything from advertising to customer relations. Manipulating words, to produce a desired management or sales effect, has become a conjurer's skill, deceiving people into trusting motives that are false and phoney relationships that use people like pawns on a chess board. James would have remembered that Jesus said, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No', 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5:37). If James remembered, let us not forget that our words at work can wreck everything many people's actions can build. That is why we need God's Word to work in us today so that we can turn people to His light.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for this reminder that Christians should speak with truth, Christ-like purpose and self-control. To fail in this discipline is to disappoint You and devastate others. Please be my Helper today, so that I may use my words to build truth and expose lies, just as Jesus did. For His great Name's sake. Amen.
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