Living Out Our Faith Skillfully - James 3:3-5

Introduction

Tonight, we are right back into our study of James. We are in verses 3 and 4 with a brief mention of verse 5. So, let’s get right into it by considering the grammar of these verses and then we look at some practical and spiritual application.

Grammatical Study

James 3:3–4 KJV 1900

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

We have two sentences here in two verses. I chose to do both of these since the Holy Spirit is using two similar objects as illustrations.

James 3:3 Grammar Study

James 3:2 KJV 1900

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

The first verse, which is the first sentence, is verse 1. You can divide this sentence into 3 different phrases or clauses. They are -

“we put bits in the horses’ mouths”

“that they may obey us”

“we turn about their whole body”

The different grammatical parts of this sentence are as follows.

VERBS

· we put [to put something somewhere, conceived of as throwing it somewhere]

· may obey [refers to the act of persuasion or to the responses appropriate to being persuaded]

· we turn about [to direct the course of; determine the direction of traveling]

NOUNS

· bits [a piece of metal (perhaps iron) held in a horse’s mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding]

· horses’ [a solid-hoofed, herbivorous quadruped that was often domesticated]

· mouths [the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge]

· body [refers to the entire physical person, living or dead]

ADVERBS

· and [and; also]

ADJECTIVES

· whole [constituting the full quantity or extent; complete]

CONJUNCTIONS

*There are none in this sentence.

James 3:4 Grammar Study

James 3:4 KJV 1900

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

This second sentence and verse contains 5 phrases or clauses. They are -

“Behold also the ships”

“which though they be so great”

“are driven of fierce winds”

“are turned about with a very small helm”

“whithersoever the governor listeth”

VERBS

· which though they be [to be; to have the quality of being]

· are driven [to be driven (propelled); to be moved by a propelling force (as by the wind, oars, or other means of propulsion)]

· are they turned about [to be guided (course); to be directed in the course of; be determined in the direction of travel]

NOUNS

· ships [any size boat; including those propelled by oars or those with a mast and sails]

· winds [wind; air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from one area to another]

· helm [rudder; the wooden steering mechanism of a sailing ship consisting of a hinged vertical plate mounted at the stern of a vessel]

· governor [helmsman; a person who steers a sailing vessel]

ADVERBS

· also [and; also]

ADJECTIVES

· fierce [hard/severe; very strong or vigorous]

· very small [least; a superlative quantifier meaning smallest in amount, extent, or degree]

CONJUNCTIONS

· AND

· WHITHERSOEVER

James 3:5 KJV 1900

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Practical Application

It is quite obvious that at this point the Holy Spirit is driving home a point by giving us two illustrations in support of that point.

So, let’s begin by asking these questions.

What is the Holy Spirit talking about?

As we already have noted the Holy Spirit is addressing the desire of some to be “masters” or as we have learned “teachers.” Of course, the Holy Spirit was quick to let us know that teaching others is serious business. Those who desire to teach must understand that they are “under the greater condemnation.” Then, as we were studying verse 2 last week, the Holy Spirit reminded us of our sinful nature and its tendencies. There are many ways in which we “offend.” Without a doubt, even after salvation and up to the moment that we receive our glorified bodies, we are going to battle with our sinful flesh. However, the biggest challenge we face in this battle is with our mouth. Only the “perfect” man can control his mouth as well as his body. And, by the way, there has only been one perfect man to live on earth. That man was the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, in essence, as we come to verses 3 and 4, the Holy Spirit is continuing to talk about the serious responsibility of teaching others with a special emphasis on controlling the mouth.

What is the Holy Spirit saying about controlling the mouth?

He gives us two wonderful and practical illustrations concerning control.

The first of these is the illustration of a horse and a bit.

James 3:3 KJV 1900

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

The average horse can weigh between 900 or 2,000 pounds depending upon its breed, age, and height. Geryl and Miss Wade raise draft horses. Draft horses can weigh up to 1,870 pounds. The height of a horse, which is measured in hands (one hand = four inches), can be as great as 18 hands or, if you do the math, 72 inches. An average horse however stands about 14-15 hands which is about 56 - 60 inches. Horses are massive beasts.

Now remember the illustration is that we, a human beings, can put a bit in the mouth of a 1,800 pound horse and it will obey us.

How many of you have done some horseback riding? I admit that I have done a whole lot in my lifetime. However, the last time I did, my wife and I were on vacation and decided to go horseback riding. It was a great experience. There is nothing like sitting on the back of this massive animals guiding them with a bit and bridle. And, just with the touch of the bridle on the left or right, the horse will go where you want. If you want the horse to stop or slow down, you simply pull back on the bridle which engages the bit.

Speaking of the bit, the average size of a horses bit is between 5 and 6 inches.

Now, go back to our verse, note again that is says -

James 3:3 KJV 1900

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

What is amazing is you can take a 1800 lb horse get him up to a full speed and command him to turn on dime. Instead of me describing it to you, let’s watch a small clip of horse barrel racing and you will see for yourself.

Start video clip of horse barrel racing

Isn’t amazing to see these horses race around these barrels. As I was looking for video clips, there were several of little girls about 10 years old who were barrel racing and some were riding trick horses as well.

Now, stop and think about what the Holy Spirit is saying. A 10 year old girl can get on the back of 1800 pound horse and with just a simple 6 inch bit work that horse around barrel as full speed or even do tricks.

In the second illustration, we see a rudder. Look again at the verse.

James 3:4 KJV 1900

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

In preparing for this message, I did a internet search on the largest ship in the world currently. Here is what I found. The largest ship in the word at this time is the a cargo ship. Actually, there are seven cargo ships that share this elite status.

Start video clip of cargo ship

You can see a video of its maiden voyage on the screen behind me. These massive cargo ships are 1312 feet long and have a gross tonnage of 228,283 GT. At the time of preparing these notes, it was sailing at a speed of 13.3 knots the Pacific Ocean headed for China. Each of these cargo ships have the ability to transport 23,964 20’ shipping containers.

Ships as big as these usually have 2 rudders. However, a rudder as you know is a flat plate or sheet of material used to steer a ship, boat, or submarine. Rudders operate by directing the flow of water thereby making a turning moment causing the ship to turn. And, as Scripture states, these helms aka rudders are very small when considering the overall dimensions of ship like the HMM cargo ships. Yet, these small helms or rudders can turn these mighty ships in any direction they ship’s captain or helmsman so desire. Even in the midst of great storms, the rudder is able in most situations to turn the ship accordingly.

Now, the Holy Spirit gets us right to the heart of the problem in the next verse.

James 3:5 KJV 1900

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

We all know who quick we can use our tongue to lash out at others. We also know that how the mouth is often used to stir up trouble. And, we all have trouble keeping it in check. I am sure that are some here tonight who have already wished a time or two today they had kept their mouth quiet.

Thus, the argument being presented to us from the Holy Spirit is teachers use their mouths to teach. However, the person who lacks control of such a small thing is a person who is going to cause an enormous amount of problems.

Scripture has much to say about our use of words.

Psalm 34:13 KJV 1900

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile.

Proverbs 13:3 KJV 1900

3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 15:1–2 KJV 1900

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 21:23 KJV 1900

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.

1 Peter 3:10 KJV 1900

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

You will note that several of these verse speak to the destruction that happens with the mouth is not under control. That is exactly the same thing the Holy Spirit is warning us about in James 3. We must understand how important words are and much they can be used to destroy. The great thing is this. The tongue under the skilful guidance of the Holy Spirit as a believer seeks to obey God can be a great tool in building others spiritually. However, understanding the destruction a tongue can do is the first step in bringing under control.

There are too many relationships that have been destroyed by a person’s tongue. In the same manner, there are way too many churches that have been destroyed by teaching false doctrine, giving into gossip, and by causing division a church. It is no wonder that Holy Spirit spends so much time emphasizing the great power of such a small member.

Now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself as we have several great verses coming up. So, I am going to end here knowing that I am ending early. I do so simply because next week, as the Lord wills, we will look at verses 5 and 6. And from those verses, we are going to see the extent to which the tongue can reach doing either harm or good. However, for tonight, we have learned just how powerful small things can be. A small bit can turn a powerful animal. A small rudder can set the course of huge cargo ship. A small spark can start a great fire. Thus, the tongue, a small member of our bodies, can either build up or destroy a person and/or a church. It can “set on fire the course of nature.” Something we will consider next Sunday evening.