Your Tongue Steers Your Life

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. (James 3:1-4)

James was a very practical writer. His epistle is full of advice for living your faith daily. In James 3, he provides one of the clearest pictures of the power of words in Scripture. He compares the tongue to a bit in a horse’s mouth and a rudder on a ship. Both are small but powerful tools that determine your ultimate direction. The message is simple: what you say will steer where you go.

The word ‘offend’ here means to stumble. James says that if a person learns to control their words, they gain control over every aspect of their life. This includes habits, reactions, health, and direction. Your words are never neutral; they always carry power.

You can make yourself sick with your words. You can also bring healing with your words. You can talk yourself into faith or talk yourself out of it. You can agree with sickness or agree with healing. You can reinforce fear or build confidence in God.

James also made it clear that this is not easy in the natural. The tongue cannot be tamed by human willpower or strength alone. That is why speaking in your Heavenly language is necessary. The Holy Spirit will help you control your speech when you give Him control of your tongue. Praying in tongues will retrain your mouth.

Practical Application

Watch your words. When you are tempted to say something that is not in agreement with your faith, pray in tongues and decide not to release words that fight against God’s Word.

James 1:26; 1 Peter 3:10