Bits, Rudders and the Tongue (continued)

The ship's rudder as compared to the ship

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us,

we guide their whole bodies as well.  Look at the ships also;

though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, 

they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the

pilot directs.  So also the tongue is a small member,

yet it boasts of great things.

James 3:3-5 

As I have looked at this passage again, I am seeing some things in a different light.  Interesting, isn't it, that we can look at something many times, and at a point in time we have a change of view.  This is probably very obvious and something most have seen immediately.  But it's a new thought for me.

Who guides the horse with the bit and bridle?  The horse?  Absolutely not!  The rider is the one who leads.  If the horse were to take charge of the bit, he would likely lash out like a wild stallion at the one who put it in his mouth, and he would direct himself where he wanted to go.  (How would you like to have that thing in your mouth?)

Who directs the ship with the very small rudder?  Does the ship guide itself?   No,  the pilot of the ship does the guiding.  A rudder is useless without the pilot, only a moving part that has no real value.

Are you starting to see a picture forming here?

In the same way, the tongue is a very small part of the human body.  We have two choices.  We can either guide it ourselves or submit it to the One who put it in the body in the first place.  

Somehow this thought is very profound to me.

Thinking on it,

Gloria