Tiago 3

Tiago 3

Meyer - James 3:2 If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. Think of the sins of speech! How innumerable they are! When we see them in the light of this chapter, we can understand the holy Isaiah saying, “Woe is me, for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King.” The sins of speech about ourselves. — The tongue boasteth great things. We are all apt to be vain, boastful, exaggerated. We tell stories that redound to our own credit; contrive to focus attention on our own words and deeds; and even in delivering God’s messages manage to let it be seen that we have a clearer insight into truth or a closer familiarity with God than our fellows. The sins of speech about others. — “We break the law of courtesy, and become harsh, insolent, and uncivil; or the law of purity, and repeat stories that leave a stain; or the law of truth, and practise insincerity, equivocation, and dissimulation; or the law of kindness, and are harsh and implacable to those who are beneath us in station. Or in our desire to stand well with others we are guilty of flattery, servility, time-serving, and the like.” The sins of speech in connection with God’s work. — We disparage other workers; compliment them to their faces on addresses they have delivered, and disparage them behind their backs; pass criticisms which take away the effect which their words had otherwise exercised over others; contrive to indicate one defect in which was otherwise a perfect achievement. Alas for us! How greatly we need to offer the prayer of the psalmist: Set a watch, O God, upon our lips! W A Criswell: "Do you remember those three little monkeys? One has his eyes covered--see no evil. One has his mouth covered--speak no evil. And one has his ears covered--hear no evil. The whole body. A gossipy tongue is a dangerous thing If its owner is evil at heart. He can give whom he chooses many a sting That will woefully linger and smart. But the gossipy tongue would be balked in its plan For causing heartburning and tears, If it weren't helped out by the misguided man Who possesses two gossipy ears… If I am not to be a talebearer and a whisperer and a defamer and a slanderer then what am I to do? This is what I am to do. I am to speak beautifully, graciously, and kindly. The apostle Paul writes, 'Speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another … Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.'" A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH! BY THEODORE EPP Consider four parallels that a fire has with words spoken by the tongue: It hurts, it spreads, it consumes, but it can have a good use under control. It only takes one false or bitter word to hurt deeply. In fact, the hurt may be so deep that recovery is impossible. Just as fire spreads, so do spoken words. Some people are always willing to listen to destructive words about others, and they spread the words further so the damage becomes even more extensive. Just as fire consumes, so do words spoken by a tongue that is out of control. Fire will destroy anything combustible that lies within its path. Words, too, have been known to destroy careers and lives. This is especially seen in the news media when political viewpoints are at stake. We who know Jesus Christ as Saviour need to think solemnly about this matter so our tongues are not used to the disadvantage of others. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (NASB). Think of it! The power of death and life reside in the tongue. And the last phrase of this verse especially applies to those who spread gossip: "Those who love it will eat its fruit." "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles" (Prov. 21:23). Brian Bell - James still helping us to discover a “genuine faith” or a Functioning Faith (Active Faith; Intentional; Authentic; Real; Expressive; Demonstrative; Gushing; Friendly; Affectionate Faith) He now adds a more specific manifestation of faith expressed through the self-control of our speech & the origin of our wisdom. Question - Can you name the muscle in your body that receives more exercise & less control than any other? The tongue weighs only 2 oz.; it has 8 muscles to change its position; approx 4” long. It helps us to chew, taste, swallow, & articulate words. It also is used for deceit, destruction, it devours, it is sharp sword, it breaks bones (Pr 25:15), backbites, flatters, & poisons. So it also is known as, “The 2 oz. Beast!” It’s this beastly nature that James address in this passage. But is it our literal tongues that are the real problem? Read Mt.15:11;17-19+ The tongue is neither friend nor foe. It’s merely a messenger that delivers the dictates of a desperately sick heart (Jer 17:9). So when James uses tongue, think heart. Quaker Proverb, “Of your unspoken words, you are the master; of your spoken words, the servant; of your written words, the slave.” (Sermon) John Painter: James gives significant attention to the need to develop speech ethics. Such is his view of the power of words that he would hardly agree with the sentiment “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Today we have another saying: “Mud sticks.” When something is said often enough, people begin to believe what is said, especially if it is something bad. Speech that misrepresents usually is self-serving and ultimately destructive. So we can speak of the power of words, whether the words are faithful and true or false and deceiving. Words, spoken or written, are potentially powerful. Because the written word may be more carefully planned and expressed, there is another saying: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” But written or spoken, when carefully planned, choosing words for their persuasive effect, we speak of rhetoric, the art of persuasion. It may seem surprising, but it is precisely because James lays such weight on the power of words that his first word about speech is “Be swift to hear, slow to speak” (1:19). The call to hold back speech has two sources. First, because speech has such power for good or evil, there is need for care to ensure that speech is faithful and true and not a misrepresentation to manipulate the hearer and that it is constructive and not destructive in its effect. Second, because of “desire” (epithymia), speech tends to be self-serving, and the tongue needs to be controlled/bridled (1:26). Speech needs to arise from the reception of the implanted word (1:21). Thus the call to be swift to hear turns the hearer from self-orientation to the other, to God and neighbor. The critique of the tongue in 3:1–12 recognizes its destructive potential. The power of the tongue can be turned to good effect by God’s gracious gift of the wisdom from above (1:5–8; 3:13–18). Rhetoric and wisdom from on high need one another if speech is to be ethical and constructive (James and Jude Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament) THE TONGUE James Smith JAMES 1:19, 26; James 3:1-12 In the early Christian Church there evidently was great freedom of speech, and that liberty was abused. From the severity with which James deals with the tongue it is clear that there had been a great deal of ill-considered, ill-natured, self-assertive and violent speech amongst the Jewish Christians. Probably this had taken the form of angry debating and bitter strife in the Assembly. At any rate verse 1 of chapter 3 seems to hint at this. The verse clearly shows that there were many who aspired to leadership and public ministry, without taking in mind the serious responsibilities of that position. In this verse James refers to the danger associated with too great a readiness to put forward one’s opinions on matters of religion. Associated here with warning are bright Gospel lessons, and the reminder that one proof of our justified state is seen in our words; that our speech will reveal what and whose we are. A young man was sent to Socrates to learn oratory. On being introduced to the philosopher he talked so incessantly that Socrates asked for double fees. “Why charge me double?” asked the young fellow. “Because,” replied the orator, “I must teach you two sciences, the one how to hold your tongue, the other how to speak.” I. An Awakening Statement (James 3:2). Who is a perfect man? James informs us: “If any man offend not in Word.” Having mastery of that difficult member, the tongue, the rest is easy. “Able to curb his whole nature” (W.). “The same is a perfect man” is in W.: “That man has reached maturity of character.” This then is the mark of a mature Christian. II. A Sobering Description. Note the suggestive descriptions James gives of the tongue. 1. A FIRE (James 3:6). Setting the whole being on fire as from Hell. 2. “A WORLD OF INIQUITY” (James 3:6). Defiling the whole being of each individual. 3. “FULL OF DEADLY POISON” (James 3:8). 4. “UNRULY EVIL” (James 3:8). III. A Dread Possibility (James 3:9, 10). That the same tongue can: 1. Bless and curse (James 3:9, 10). 2. A fountain sending forth two kinds of water (James 3:11). IV. A Wise Admonition (James 1:19; 3:13–18). Notice how affectionately James addresses his readers. “Swift to hear, slow to speak”—what wise words! A wise man will seek only to produce “Good conversation.” V. A Sad Confession (James 3:7, 8). Most living things can be tamed, yet “the tongue can no man tame,” save the Man, Christ Jesus. VI. A Glorious Possibility (James 1:26; James 3:3–6). This point forces itself upon us as we ponder the figures used by James for the tongue. 1. BIT AND BRIDLE (James 3:2, 3). To turn the whole body of the horse a firm hand on the bridle is required. The hand of the Man, Christ Jesus, can grip and firmly use the bit and bridle on our tongues. 2. SMALL HELM (James 3:4). The pierced Hand can firmly control and wisely use the helm of our lives—our tongue. WISE WORDS FROM PROVERBS ON SPEECH - BAD AND GOOD NOTE: These are quoted from KJV but hold pointer over reference for NASB. APPLICATION - Here’s an exercise that might just help you get a hold on your words. Observe the wise words from Proverbs (bad and good) noting what the Word says about words. As you do, make a simple list of the positive and negative effects of Words spoken. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all Truth and enable you to obey what you learn, even as He transforms you from glory to glory into the image of Jesus the Living Word. Amen (2 Cor 3:18). SPEECH (Bad Speech) "Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked" (Proverbs 10:6). "Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked" (Proverbs 10:11). "The mouth of the foolish is a present destruction" (Proverbs 10:14). "He that hideth hatred is of lying lips" (Proverbs 10:18). "He that uttereth a slander is a fool" (Proverbs 10:18). "In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression" (Proverbs 10:19). "The perverse tongue shall be cut off" (Proverbs 10:31). "The mouth of the wicked speaketh perverseness" (Proverbs 10:32). "The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood" (Proverbs 12:6). "In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man" (Proverbs 12:13). "A false witness, deceit" (Proverbs 12:17). "There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword" (Proverbs 12:18). "A lying tongue is but for a moment" (Proverbs 12:19). "Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah" :12:22). "The heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness" (Proverbs 12:23). "He that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction" (Proverbs 13:3). "A righteous man hateth lying" (Proverbs 13:5). "In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his pride" (Proverbs 14:3). "A grievous word stirreth up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). "The mouth of fools poureth out folly" (Proverbs 15:2). "Perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit" (Proverbs 15:4). "The mouth of fools feedeth on folly" (Proverbs 15:14). "The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things" (Proverbs 15:28). "A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire" (Proverbs 16:27). "A whisperer separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 16:28). "He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass" (Proverbs 16:30). "An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips" (Proverbs 17:4). "A liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue" (Proverbs 17:4). "Excellent speech becometh not a fool: Much less do lying lips a prince" (Proverbs 17:7). "He that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 17:9). "He that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief" (Proverbs 17:20). "A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes" (Proverbs 18:6). "A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul" (Proverbs 18:7). "The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels. And they go down into the innermost parts" (Proverbs 18:8). "He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him" (Proverbs 18:13). "A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 18:20). "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). "The rich answereth roughly" (Proverbs 18:23). "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool" (Proverbs 19:1). "A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape" (Proverbs 19:5). "A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall perish" (Proverbs 19:9). "The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping" (Proverbs 19:13). "A poor man is better than a liar" (Proverbs 19:22). "A worthless witness mocketh at justice" (Proverbs 19:28). "The mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity" (Proverbs 19:28). "Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6). "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets" (Proverbs 20:19). "Company not with him that openeth wide his lips" (Proverbs 20:19). "Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness" (Proverbs 20:20). "It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry" (Proverbs 20:25). "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death" (Proverbs 21:6). "A false witness shall perish" (Proverbs 21:28). "The scoffer is an abomination to men" (Proverbs 24:9). "Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause" (Proverbs 24:28). "Deceive not with thy lips" (Proverbs 24:28). "As clouds and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely" (Proverbs 25:14). "A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and sharp arrow" (Proverbs 25:18). "The north wind bringeth forth rain; So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance" (Proverbs 25:23) "The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools" (Proverbs 26:7). "As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools" (Proverbs 26:9). "Where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth" (Proverbs 26:20). "The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts" (Proverbs 26:22). "Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross" (Proverbs 26:23). "He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him: When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart: Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly" (Proverbs 26:24-26). "A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin" (Proverbs 26:28). "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips" (Proverbs 27:2). "A man is tried by his praise" (Proverbs 27:21). "A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps" (Proverbs 29:5). "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him" (Proverbs 29:20). SPEECH (Good Speech) "In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found" (Proverbs 10:13). "He that refraineth his lips doeth wisely" (Proverbs 10:19). "The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver" (Proverbs 10:20). "The lips of the righteous feed many" (Proverbs 10:21). "The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom" (Proverbs 10:31), "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" (Proverbs 10:32), "The mouth of the righteous shall deliver them" (Proverbs 12:6). "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 12:14). "He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness" (Proverbs 12:17). "The tongue of the wise is health" (Proverbs 12:18). "The lip of truth shall be established for ever" (Proverbs 12:19). "Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad" (Proverbs 12:25). "A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 13:2). "He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life" (Proverbs 13:3). "The lips of the wise shall preserve them" (Proverbs 14:3). "A soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1). • "The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright" (Proverbs 15:2). "A gentle tongue is a tree of life" (Proverbs 15:4). "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge" (Proverbs 15:7). "A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth" (Proverbs 15:23). "A word in due season, how good is it! (Proverbs 15:23). "Pleasant words are pure" (Proverbs 15:26). "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer" (Proverbs 15:28). "The answer of the tongue is from Jehovah" (Proverbs 16:1). "A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment" (Proverbs 16:10) "Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right" (Proverbs 16:13). "The sweetness of the lips increaseth learning" (Proverbs 16:21). "The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips" (Proverbs 16:23). "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24). "The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook" (Proverbs 18:4). "With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied" (Proverbs 18:20). "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21). "The poor useth entreaties" (Proverbs 18:23). "The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel" (Proverbs 20:15). "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21:23). "The man that heareth shall speak so as to endure" (Proverbs 21:28). "He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer" (Proverbs 24:26). "Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself" (Proverbs 25:9). "A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver" (Proverbs 25:11). "As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear" (Proverbs 25:12). "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters" (Proverbs 25:13). "A soft tongue breaketh the bone" (Proverbs 25:15). "Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit" (Proverbs 26:5). "The rod and reproof give wisdom" (Proverbs 29:15). QUOTES ON SPEECH It is easier to look wise than to talk wisely. Ambrose God has given us teeth and a mouth—teeth to cage in that deadly weapon, and a mouth to close it in. The most ferocious monster in the world has his den just behind the teeth. No part of us is in a more slippery place than the tongue. There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip. - German proverb A lengthy tongue and early death. - Persian saying The boneless tongue, small and weak, can crush and kill. A bird is known by his note, a man by his talk. Anon. A sharp tongue is no evidence of a keen mind. Anon. There are many messages that would have been twice as effective with half the words! It's when you feel like you have to say something that you end up saying the dumbest things. Talk is cheap. A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use. Washington Irving Actions don’t always speak louder than words—your tongue can undo everything you do. Anon. His heart cannot be pure whose tongue is not clean. Anon. In company, guard your tongue—in solitude, your thoughts. Anon. Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them! Anon. No physician can heal the wounds inflicted by the tongue. Anon. Nothing is so opened more by mistake than the mouth. Anon. One thing you can give and still keep is your word. Anon. The Christian should learn two things about his tongue: how to hold it and how to use it. Anon. The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet high. Anon. There are two sciences which every person ought to learn: the science of speech and the more difficult one of silence. Anon. What is in the well of your heart will show up in the bucket of your speech. Anon. When you speak, remember God is one of your listeners. Anon. Words are leaves—deeds are fruit. Anon. Words are our thoughts going public! Anon The tongue is the hinge on which everything in the personality turns. T. C. Baird It is a sad fact that the tongues of professing Christians are often all too busy doing the devil’s work. Donald Grey Barnhouse One of the first things that happens when a man is really filled with the Spirit is not that he speaks with tongues, but that he learns to hold the one tongue he already has. J. Sidlow Baxter Gentle words fall lightly, but they have great weight. Derick Bingham A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue. Thomas Brooks Of all the members in the body, there is none so serviceable to Satan as the tongue. Thomas Brooks We know metals by their tinkling and men by their talking. Thomas Brooks A word spoken is physically transient but morally permanent. Francis Burkitt The vice of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in the days of our youth. John Calvin There is nothing more slippery or loose than the tongue. John Calvin During a long life I have had to eat my own words many times and I have found it a very nourishing diet. Winston Churchill When you have nothing to say, say nothing. C. C. Colton Think all you speak but speak not all you think. Patrick Delaney The worst of speaking without thinking is that you say what you think. James Denney Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent. Dionysius the Elder Nothing is often a good thing to say. Will Durant Kind words are the music of the world. Frederick W. Faber The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart. Benjamin Franklin If I speak what is false, I must answer for it; if truth, it will answer for me. Thomas Fuller The jawbone of an ass was a killer in Samson’s time. It still is. Morris Gilber A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue. Thomas Goodwin If the mouth be bad, the mind is not good. Matthew Henry It is bad to think ill, but it is worse to speak it. Matthew Henry If nobody said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, what a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth! A. P. Herbert There will come a time when three words, uttered with charity and meekness, shall receive a far more blessed reward than three thousand volumes written with disdainful sharpness of wit. Richard Hooker Many people would be more truthful were it not for their uncontrollable desire to talk. Edgar Watson Howe There is a time for saying nothing; there is occasionally a time for saying something; there is never a time for saying everything. Hugh of St Victor A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use. Washington Irving A fool is hardly discerned when silent; his picture is best taken when he is speaking. William Jenkyn An evil speaker is his own scourge. William Jenkyn If you can hold your tongue you can hold anything. E. Stanley Jones Sharp tongues have a way of sharpening other tongues. E. Stanley Jones Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. Abraham Lincoln Blessed are they who have nothing to say and who cannot be persuaded to say it. James Russell Lowell The tongue is the ambassador of the heart. John Lyly When the hands are idle, the tongue is usually very active. Henry T. Mahan A tongue that is set on fire from hell shall be set on fire in hell. Thomas Manton Evil words show a wicked heart, and idle words a vain mind. Thomas Manton Most of a man’s sins are in his words. Thomas Manton If you think twice before you talk once, you will speak twice the better for it. William Penn Man’s speech is like his life. Plato A word spoken is physically transient but morally permanent. J. C. Ryle Our words are the evidence of the state of our hearts as surely as the taste of the water is an evidence of the state of the spring. J. C. Ryle By the striking of the clapper we guess at the metal of the bell. William Secker Speech is the index of the mind. Seneca When I think over what I have said, I envy dumb people. Seneca Speech is … only good when it is better than silence. Richard Sibbes If we cannot be believed on our word, we are surely not to be trusted on our oath. C. H. Spurgeon The word of a man is as powerful as himself. Richard Sibbes Some men’s tongues bite more than their teeth. C. H. Spurgeon Tongues are more terrible instruments than can be made with hammers and anvils, and the evil which they inflict cuts deeper and spreads wider. C. H. Spurgeon Whatever moves the heart wags the tongue. C. T. Studd The heart is the metal of the bell, the tongue but the clapper. George Swinnock Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so he is. Publilius Syrus Evil tongues are the devil’s bellows. John Trapp A ready tongue without an informed mind, a devout character and a holy life will hinder rather than advance the cause of Christ. Curtis Vaughan How can Christ be in the heart when the devil has taken possession of the tongue? Thomas Watson Words are the looking-glass of the mind. Thomas Watson James 3:3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. (NASB95) Amplified If we set bits in the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about. Phillips Men control the movements of a large animal like the horse with a tiny bit placed in its mouth. Wuest Now if, as is the case, we put bridles in the mouths of the horses in order that they may be obeying us, we also guide their entire body. NET And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. GNT εἰ δὲ τῶν ἵππων τοὺς χαλινοὺς εἰς τὰ στόματα βάλλομεν εἰς τὸ πείθεσθαι αὐτοὺς ἡμῖν, καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν μετάγομεν. NLT We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. KJV Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. ESV If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ASV Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also. CSB Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. NIV When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. NKJ Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. NRS If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. YLT lo, the bits we put into the mouths of the horses for their obeying us, and their whole body we turn about; NAB If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. NJB Once we put a bit in the horse's mouth, to make it do what we want, we have the whole animal under our control. GWN We put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, and we have control over everything they do. BBE Now if we put bits of iron into horses' mouths so that they may be guided by us, we have complete control of their bodies. Jas 1:26 2Ki 19:28 Ps 32:9 39:1 Isa 37:29 James 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Youtube Video Verse by Verse Teaching on James 3 5W/H Questions on James 3 for teaching and personal study Related Passages: James 1:26+ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. BIT ENLARGED - SITS ON TONGUE ILLUSTRATION #1 HORSE AND BRIDLE The reader might be thinking that James is exaggerating on the potential of the tongue to affect one's whole body (James 3:2). He will now give illustrations of the power of the tongue to control by describing relatively small things that were well known to exert control over something much larger. Note that in each of these "little things," when they are controlled or directed, the larger, much more powerful things are controlled. Winkler phrases it this way "That the mastery of the tongue aids the mastery of the whole body is illustrated by comparison." John