​The Bit and Rudder Illustrate the Power to Direct (James 3:1–4)

The World's Smallest but Biggest Troublemaker (James 3:1-12 intro)

It seems that the Christians James wrote to were having a lot of trouble with their tongues. James had told them to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. (James 1:19). James 1:26 says that a believer's religion is worthless if he or she does not control his or her tongue. We should act and speak as if we were already being judged by Christ (James 2:12). You get the feeling that this group had some interesting meetings when you read James 4:1, 11–12.

One of the strongest powers God has given us is the power of speech. A person can use his tongue to praise God, pray, preach the Word, and show the lost the way to Christ. What a wonderful honor! But he can also use that same tongue to tell lies that could ruin a man's reputation or break a person's heart. We often underestimate the influence words have on people and their ability to effect change.

James showed us six pictures of the tongue: a bit, a rudder, fire, a poisonous animal, a fountain, and a fig tree. He did this to show us how important it is to control our speech and how big the effects of our words can be. You can group these six pictures into three groups that show the three powers of the tongue.

The Bit and Rudder Illustrate the Power to Direct  (3:1–4)
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It seems that everyone in the assembly wanted to be a spiritual leader and teacher, so James had to tell them, " . . . not many masters [teachers] " (James 3:1). Maybe they were impressed by the power and status of the job and forgot about the huge amount of responsibility and accountability that comes with it. Those who teach the Word will be judged more harshly.

Teachers must use their words to communicate the truth about God, and it's easy to sin with your words. Also, teachers need to do what they teach; if they don't, they're being hypocritical. Think about how much harm a teacher can do if they aren't ready or their spiritual life isn't up to par.

However, teachers are not the only individuals who face temptation and commit sins. Every Christian must admit that ". . . in many things we offend all . . " (James 3:2). Sins of the tongue appear to rank highest on this list. The individual who can restrain their tongue demonstrates the capacity to govern their entire body. He shows that he is a grown-up (perfect) man.

Was James wrong to link sins of the tongue with sins of "the whole body"? No, because words usually lead to actions. History records posters that said "LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS!" during World War II. But loose lips can also ruin lives. Someone says something without thinking, and suddenly they are in a fight. His tongue has made the rest of his body fight back.

James used the bit and the rudder to show how two small things can have a lot of power, just like the tongue. A small bit lets the rider control the big horse, and a small rudder lets the pilot steer the big ship. The tongue is a small part of the body, but it has enormous power.

The bit and the rudder both have to fight against things that are against them. The bit has to deal with the horse's wildness, and the rudder has to deal with the winds and currents that would push the ship off course. The human tongue also has to deal with things that are against it. Our old nature wants to control us and make us do evil things. There are things going on around us that make us say things we shouldn't. There are sins on the inside and outside that want to take over the tongue.

This means that a strong hand must be able to control both the bit and the rudder. An expert horseman controls his horse's immense strength, while an experienced pilot skillfully navigates the ship through turbulent waters. We don't have to worry about saying the wrong things or even saying the right things in a wrong way if Jesus Christ is in charge of our tongues.

Solomon said, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: . . " (Prov. 18:21). David prayed, "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. . . " "Incline not my heart to any evil thing . . . " (Ps. 141:3,4). David knew that the heart is what makes speech right when he wrote, ". . . out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Matt. 12:34). If Jesus Christ is the Lord of the heart, He is also the Lord of the lips.

The bit and rudder can steer, which means they can change other people's lives. A horse that runs away or a ship that sinks could hurt or kill people on foot or on board. What we say has an effect on other people's lives. A judge says, "Guilty!" or "Not Guilty!" Those words change the lives of the prisoner, his family, and his friends. A few words from the president of the United States, along with some signed papers, can lead the country into war. A simple "yes" or "no" from a parent can have a big impact on the course of a child's life.

Always remember that your words matter. Jesus talked to a woman at a well, and her life and the lives of her neighbors changed in a miraculous way (John 4). Peter preached on Pentecost, and three thousand people were saved by faith in Christ (Acts 2).

Edward Kimball went into a Boston shoe store on April 21, 1855, and led Dwight L. Moody to Christ. The outcome: one of the greatest evangelists in history, whose work is still going on. People can make the right choices with their words.

We should all read the book of Proverbs often, paying special attention to the many times it talks about speech. "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (Prov. 15:1). The Lord hates lying lips (Prov. 12:22). Solomon reminds us that in a lot of words, there is no sin; but he who keeps his lips shut is wise (Prov. 10:19). Yes, the tongue functions like a bit in a horse's mouth and a rudder on a ship; it has the ability to steer our actions and words.