Faith is about giving God control of our lives. This daily devotion looks at how we give God that control.
Nuggets
- When God is in control of our lives, we stumble less.
- The control we have over our speech shows the state of our hearts and minds.
Devotions in Living Out Our Faith series
James had just talked to us about having a limited supply of teachers. Then he reminded us that we are all going to stumble at times.
Next, he gave two examples to help us grasp what God is calling us to do. One was how we control horses. The other was how the wind controls ships.
Speaking of control, James warned us that we need to control our speech. Let’s see what he had to say.
Let's Put It into Context
Here is a running list of nuggets for the series.
Controlling Horses and Ships
“If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs” (Jas. 3: 3-4 ESV)
When God is in control of our lives, we stumble less.
These are verses where a picture paints a thousand words. But then, sometimes, we have to see what we are supposed to get.
Sometimes, it is easy. Nature is clearly under God’s control. Writers of Scripture use what we are familiar with to explain the unfamiliar – and complex.
Some of us may be less familiar with the example of the ship. However, I think most of us know how to control the horse.
But James has more to say than just the topic of control. What devise is used to control the situation?
In the example of the horse, it is the bit. In the example of the ship, it is the rudder.
You can have really big horses and boats, but they are controlled by this little bitty thing. Those little bitty things do a great job at controlling those really big things.
Think about it. What good would the horse be if it didn’t have a bit? In the olden days, farmers wouldn’t have been able to plow their fields if they couldn’t control where and when the horse went.
Think about all the wagon trains moving the settlers to new territory. They would have had no choice as to where they were going to live if they couldn’t control where the oxen were taking them. They wouldn’t have even gotten to move because there was no way they were going to pull the wagons if they couldn’t hook up the oxen to do it.
How much control do we really have over ourselves? We get in the heat of anger, and we can’t control our tongues. Controlling our thoughts is sometimes difficult.
Bushnell agreed. He wrote, “We cannot govern a bad passion or grudge by choking it down, or master a wild ambition by willing it away, or stop the trains of bad thoughts by a direct fight with them, which fight would only keep them still in mind as before — all that we can do in such matters, in the way of self-regulation, is to steer simply the mind off from its grudges, ambitions, bad thoughts, by getting it occupied with good and pure objects that work a diversion.”
Resource
Bushnell made a great point. The rider has to know how to use the power behind the bit. The helmsman has to know how to use the power behind the rudder.
But how many times do we think we can steer our own boat? We grab hold of what we think is the rudder – and it really isn’t. It isn’t connected to the right Power, so the steering is off.
Maybe sometimes, we do get it connected to the right Power – sometimes. The inconsistency isn’t going to help us steer. We have to be consistently connected to the right Power.
Think about it being a sailboat. We have to put the sails up. It does no good if the sails are down.
What powers the sails? The wind.
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (Jn. 3: 8 ESV).
God is in control. God provides and controls the wind.
God provides and controls the Holy Spirit in us. He also provides and controls Jesus.
Bushnell said that Jesus is the helm. I see that. But I see the Holy Spirit as the rudder.
What does that have to do with stumbling? Everything!
When God is in control of our lives, we stumble less. (Oh, we will still stumble.) We want to be in consistent communication with Him, so that we can be tied into Him before, during, and after the stumble.
Controlling Our Tongue
“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things” (Jas. 3: 5 ESV)
The control we have over our speech shows the state of our hearts and minds.
Since James was talking small, controlling things, he reminded us that our tongue is small. But it can do big things! Patterson talked about it being a rudder.
Resource
This is the second time in the first five verses of Chapter 3 that James talked about our communicating. “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (Jas. 3: 2 ESV).
Elaine-speak. Anyone who can avoid saying something that is wrong or offends someone is perfect and should have that restraint in all earthly matters.
Sarcasm 101.
No one can control their speech 100% of the time. No one can control their earthly desires 100% of the time.
No one in an earthly body is perfect.
Mackenzie reminded us that our earthly desires lead us to sin. Temptations come our way from Satan, with the express purpose of getting us to turn away from God.
Mackenzie did offer some hope. He wrote, “Difficult, however, as the government of speech is, we must observe that it is not impracticable. If a man cannot restrain it completely, he has it in his power at least to moderate it.”
Resource
The tongue does control a significant portion of our passions. “My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, a fire burned. I spoke with my tongue” (Ps. 39: 3 CSB).
What is this verse saying? I got upset. I really wanted something to happen. My desire for it grew and grew.
Then the words came out of my mouth.
But what if the words that came out are “Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am” (Ps. 39: 4 CSB)? What if we don’t give in to our earthly desires?
That is a great way to conquer Satan.
Unfortunately, how many times do we give the tongue free reign? We lead with our thoughts and feelings and just let the bad spew out because we aren’t regulating the tongue based on what God wants.
Peabody made an excellent observation. How many times to do we downplay what we say and how we say it?
Resource
James was telling us here that it is an obligation. Our speech is an indication of our character. It shows our self-control.
It shows us the state of our hearts and minds.
Making the Connections
It seems that the most important point here — in my opinion — is that the government of the tongue indicates the status of the heart. In fact, the Essex Remembrancer called it a standard by which our Christian character is judged.
Resource
If our control of our tongue is an indication of the status of our hearts, I can see that. I can especially see it when we consider our self talk as a powerful influence of speech.
We can bite on ourselves and stop us from acting when we really should. We can encourage ourselves and stand firm in our faith.
Why is this important? “I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt. 12: 36-37 CSB).
How Do We Apply This?
- Remain in an attitude of prayer.
- Be considerate at all times.
- Govern our inward feelings.
- Be considerate of the feelings of others.
- Learn when to stay silent.
- Keep away from lying and slandering.
- Use our speech for building up rather than tearing down.
- Be ready to witness for Christ.
- Make sure the status of our hearts are where they should be.
- Keep watch when we enter times of temptation.
- Seek God’s assistance in governing our tongues.
- Remember we will face judgment for our actions.
Resource
Father God. We want You in control of our lives. Help us to control our speech so that we are faithful to You. Amen.
What do you think?
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