James 3:6 KJV [6] “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” The ancient Greeks considered fire to be one of the major elements in the universe. They placed it alongside water, earth, and air. You can feel and smell fire just like you can feel water, earth, and air. Fire can be extremely helpful to a man if it is used correctly. It can provide him with …
“The Boaster”
James 3:5 KJV [5] “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” Have you ever met the man in our text? I call him the boaster. I’m not sure if this man has ever done anything of greatness in his life or not, and I’m not sure about his level of skill or ability. It is hard to tell because boasting about everything is what he does best. Some of this man’s boasting is true, but his boasting always leads to embellishment. To hear this man …
“The Boat”
James 3:4 KJV [4] “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 continues to talk to us about controlling our tongue. In the previous verses, he has given two illustrations concerning the bridle and the bit. He is now using a boat to emphasize this truth. He mentions the size by saying that they can be great vessels. He mentions the struggle as the vessel may face fierce winds when out at sea. He then mentions the …
“The Bit”
James 3:3 KJV [3] “Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.” The bit is a piece of metal or synthetic material that fits in a horse’s mouth and aids in the communication between the horse and the rider. To place pressure in and around the horse’s mouth allows the rider to cue the horse when he wants him to stop or change directions, and it reinforces the other control signals the rider may give the horse with his legs or weight distribution. James reminds us …