Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 54th Edition
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our passage today (James 3:3-6) is a continuation of the discussion about speech that we started yesterday. In today’s portion, James has a comparison, which is also a contrast. This form of teaching was quite common among the Hebrew people, particularly in Old Testament wisdom literature.
Acquiescent (vv. 3-4). In this passage, we are given two illustrations, one of which we have encountered earlier (1:26) and a fresh one, both of which communicate the same idea. Reins (v. 3). The horse is a large, powerful animal. But we put small bits in the sides of their mouths and with the attached reins we can turn that huge beast effortlessly. A small rider, holding even smaller reins, can make the big animal go exactly where he chooses. Likewise the Rudder (v. 4). A ship is a very big vessel that in former times was driven by powerful winds. To turn the ship, one uses a small instrument, the rudder. A small pilot, manning an even smaller rudder, can control the much bigger ship, driven by very powerful winds. Do not be fooled by the size, power often rests in the ability to control.
Amok (vv 5-6). Like the bit and the rudder, the tongue is also small but with great influence. But in contrast, while the former two are used to control, the tongue runs amok and destroys. The implication here is that hell (the devil) is the source of this destructive lack of control and that the corruption permeates the whole body. Remember Luke 6:45? Someone once said, “Tongue diarrhea is evidence of constipation of the mind.” Do not take words lightly, they reveal the condition of the heart. When you speak evil to others or about them, what does that say about the condition of your heart? Our words have the potential to build up or destroy.
We can demonize a saint with our speech and set a whole church burning with gossip and malicious talk. Weigh your words and motives before you speak. If you want to speak words generated in hell, that’s up to you.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.