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A Pastor’s Perspective
“Bit
and Bridle” by Mike Hill, pastor of
Calvary Chapel Aberdeen
Listen to CALVARY RADIO 90.3 FM
(mjhill@ida.net)
The
other day I was reminded of the tremendous strength of
horses. It
didn’t take much for my horse to pull back and rip
apart her rope halter when she was spooked.
My daughter’s terrified horse tore off her
thick leather billet strap like a flimsy thread.
Both horses were acting up on the same day.
Yet, I’m amazed how soon they submit to me when
they calm down. A
small bit in the mouth of one of these 1200 pound
animals has the power to dictate their movements.
James
was also in awe of how such a large animal can be tamed.
He writes, “Indeed,
we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and
we turn their whole body” (James 3:3).
James summarizes his observations and concludes, “For
every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of
the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind”
(James 3:7). The
fact that mankind is able to tame animals is as it
should be. After all, God has given us the authority to have dominion
over the animal kingdom (Genesis 1:28).
Years
ago, when I visited Sea World in San Diego, I was
impressed at how dolphins, seals, massive killer whales,
birds, dogs, and even cats were trained to follow the
directions of human trainers.
All kinds of animals can be tamed.
But what is one thing that cannot be tamed by
man? The
tongue. The
Bible declares, “No
man can tame the tongue. It
is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James
3:8). What
does James mean by “poison”?
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men,
who have been made in God's likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My
brothers, this should not be”
(James 3:9-10 NIV).
I
know how untameable my own tongue can be.
Sometimes I wish the words that came out of my
mouth could be taken back…at least edited.
I think, “Why did I say that?”
The proverbial saying “Sticks and stones may
break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is so
untrue, because Scripture teaches, “Death
and life are
in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21a).
Our hurtful words have the power to rip into
someone’s heart like the horse tore apart the leather
strap. I
desire to produce life with my words not death.
I want everything that I say to “be
good and helpful, so that your words will be an
encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians
4:29b NLT).
If I
am unable to tame my own tongue, who can?
God can tame my tongue.
David prayed, “Set
a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door
of my lips”
(Psalm 141:3). I seek the Lord’s help, because He alone is able to deal with the
source. Jesus
indicated that the words which spill out of our mouths
originate within our hearts (Matthew 12:34).
So, if there’s a problem with the words that
rocket out of our mouths like destructive missiles, then
the real issue is our heart.
Make the following prayer a part of your regular
conversation with God, and see how it influences your
relationships.
“Let the words of my
mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in
Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer”
(Psalm 19:14)
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