Discovery: James uses a few different images to describe the power of the tongue. There is the horse's bit, the ship's rudder, and the small spark. On the positive end of the ledger, James says that the tongue has the potential to make big and significant changes. Like a bit's ability to guide a large animal or a rudder's ability to turn a large vessel, the tongue has this ability as well. On the negative end of the ledger, the tongue can also cause tremendous harm. Like a small spark of fire that can burn down a whole forest, so too a careless or insensitive word cause tremendous damage to a person or community. James simply warns us: Be mindful of the power of the tongue!
Application: We need to remember that we are all sparks. The question is whether we are a good one or a bad one. I have been blessed countless times by people offering up unsolicited words of affirmation. Often these words have come at the most opportune times. At the same time, I have also been cut down by the most careless of words. Often people's criticism or critiques have come at the most inopportune times and the negative impact of these words have caused more damaged then they intended. This is all to say that words powerful sparks.
It is easy to point out ways that other peoples' words have helped or hurt me. It is something entirely different to look at the power of my own words. What kind of spark am I? I know that when I am tired, hungry, weary, or lazy, my words come out in the wrong way. Recently, the "filter" that I normally have over my mouth seems to have gone missing and I have said or thought things that have caused me to cringe in hindsight. What kind of spark am I?
I also think of the imagery of the bit and rudder. As a leader, how am I leading? What strikes me about the rudder and bit is that they must first move before anything else follows. In both examples, the object (bit or rudder) must set a course, not deviate from that course, and continue to hold the course no matter what obstacles arise if the rest of the body (horse, ship, or church) is able to follow suit. I am really humbled by the fact that it is really hard serving as a leader. It can't be done on one's own strength. In this area of life, I need to really grow and learn.
Prayer: Let me be a good spark this week with my words. Let me be a faithful bit and rudder at home and at church.
