Mims Turley

By putting a bit into the mouth of a horse, we can turn the horse in different directions. It takes strong winds to move a large sailing ship, but the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction. Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. James 3:3-5a

For years one of my colleagues had a little card stuck to her computer screen that read, “Put your mind in gear before you put your mouth in motion.” Each time I read it, it reminded me of the passage in James 3 that speaks about the tongue.

James understands that words are far more than sounds that come out of our mouths. Words have power and that’s why he warns us to be in control of what we say, because then we will also be in control of our actions. He illustrates this with the images of a bit in a horse’s mouth and the rudder on a ship. Both of these images relate to direction. The tongue, and the words that come from it, can also give our lives direction.

How we use words is a serious business. In Proverbs 18:21 we read, “Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.” A parent’s words, for example, can build up a child to have a positive self-image, but by never saying they love them or how proud of them they are, the opposite can happen.

Has it ever happened that you’re busy typing an e-mail and accidentally click send before you’re finished? Your e-mail is gone and there’s nothing you can do to stop. It’s just like that when we speak before we think. Once the words are out you can never take them back. My mom always warned us as children to think carefully before we speak "because", she use to say, "words are like birds that fly out of our mouths and we can never bring them back."

Jesus himself warned us to be careful about what we say, “I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. On that day they will be told that they are either innocent or guilty because of the things they have said.” Matthew 12:36

Get serious with your words today. Think before you speak. Remember, “A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up.” Proverbs 15:1

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding us again about the power of words. Help me to use my words in a way that always brings honour to your name. Amen