Loose Lips

3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4Look 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. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
I had a great best friend growing up.  He lived within walking distance of my home.  There was pasture land along with forest and a stock pond.  Since his family had pasture land around his home, he and his sister had horses as pets.  My friends horse was huge.  “Note” stood 17.5 hands high, or almost 6 feet just behind the neck.  Even though he was such a large horse, he followed the directions of two 7 year old boys because he had a bit.
Our tongues are not like a large horse.  They are quite small compared to the rest of us.  The human tongue is just a few inches in length.  Smaller than your foot.  Smaller than your hand.  But, our feet and hands, though they are capable of doing incredible damage are weak when compared to the destruction the tongue can cause.  Oh that there was a bit for the tongue.  My tongue is like an untamed large horse.  Though it has great ability for good, often runs wild inflicting damage wherever in runs.
Apostle James compares our tongue to a horse.  He also compares our tongue to the rudder of a ship.  Massive ships are controlled by a quite small portion of the entire ship, but whichever direction the rudder directs the ship follows.  Our tongue has the same affect on our lives.  The apostle Peter shared his opinion with Jesus on the crucifixion.  Jesus told Peter where than opinion came from.  Satan.
Our tongue can damage our friends, family, careers, and church.  In World War II it was said, “Loose lips sink ships.”  I think we should say today, “Loose tongues injure the church.”  Every time you open your mouth you are teaching, you are influencing someone whether you intend to or not.  Who are you listening to that will influence your words?  Peter, obviously, was listening to Satan.  Words have power.  Words spoken cannot be taken back.
  1. Do you think before you speak?
  2. What do you try to accomplish with your words?

--Zine Smith

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