Philip Dampier's Blog

Chapter 3, Verses 2-3 “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. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.”

Of all the ways we might stumble as children of God, James is concerned with possibilities of stumbling in our speech. James makes a bold statement regarding the control of the tongue. If it can be done it will lead to perfection. That ability to control the tongue also leads to the ability to control the entire body. That would be perfection, wouldn’t it?

He uses the illustration of putting bits into mouths of horses as a means of controlling the entire horse. The bridle and bit give control over the tongue of the horse which in turns gives control of the entire horse. We can’t miss James’ meaning. Control our tongue, control our behavior. They are obviously linked in James mind.

Task for Today: Acknowledge that the tongue (our speech) is a means of stumbling and examine your control over it. Understand that control of the tongue gives you control of your life. Make sure you are not stumbling by speaking that which is false or misleading. Make sure you are not stumbling by speaking words that would harm someone else. Make sure you are not stumbling by using the tongue to profane that which is holy. Keep in mind that you must give answer to God for every word you speak.