“For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature” (James 3:2 AMP).
The truth is, we’ve all made mistakes. But in the last part of this verse, James says, “If you can control your mouth, you can control your body and your entire nature.”
That’s a strong statement!
In verse 3 AMP, James gives us more information about the tongue: “If we set bits in the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about.” Now, I’m not a horseman, but I know horses are too big to grab around the neck and pull around wherever you want. However, if you can put a bit in a horse’s mouth, you can control the direction it goes.
James continues: “Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines” (v. 4 AMP). Ships are big, and winds are strong. But when you control the rudder, you control where the ship goes.
Think about it this way: A horse wants to go a particular direction by its own inner will. A ship has no will, but outside forces, such as the wind and waves, try to drive it. So, putting a bit in a horse’s mouth and directing a ship by its rudder are examples of controlling both inside desires and outside forces.
Apply this to your own life. The problem you face may come from within—a resistant will, the lusts of the flesh and so forth. Or outside forces, such as symptoms of sickness, may be coming against you. Either way, the principle holds true: As you control your mouth, you can control yourself—inside and out!
By the words of my mouth, I control the direction of my life.
I speak only what God says about me and my circumstances,
so I’m headed straight toward victory!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.