One of the evidences of maturity is not measured by what we know but how we speak. We’ve all stumbled or had slips of the tongue or said wrong things. Those who teach the Word are more susceptible to judgment than others because we regularly engage in using our words and can say the wrong things (read James 3:1, 2). James 3:3-6 adds how the power of the tongue (or the words we speak) can turn things around in our lives. It seems like such a small thing but our words have a big effect.
James 3:3 – 6 says, “Behold we put bits in the horses mouth that they may obey us and we TURN ABOUT their whole body. v. 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 (wills; decides). v. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (“Behold how great a bonfire adding a little fuel to the fire kindleth”) v. 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members that it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire of hell.”
Just like a bit seems small in relation to the horse’s body yet the small bit —TURNS ABOUT the horse’s body.
Just like a helm (or rudder) seems so small in relation to a big ship – yet a small rudder can TURN ABOUT a big ship.
So too, the tongue, and our words, though very small, can turn about our lives in the fierce winds and storms of life. If we will increase what we do with our words that express our belief or faith, things will begin to turn about or turn around. (The word “turn about” means to cause to move from one place to another by bringing or leading; to direct, to steer, to guide).
In the negative, our tongue can set on fire the course of nature against us. The course of nature is the whole sphere or round of life. It is life’s circumstances, life’s events, life’s opportunities, life’s activities, and life’s experiences. Remember that Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it (indulge in; delight in; inclined in) shall eat the fruit thereof.” Death and life can also be traced to the tongue. Death and life are both voice activated. The devil and powers of hell are looking for a legal right of entry by the words we speak because our words are an expression of our will. Whatever is happening to us in your life can be happening because of our tongue. As our tongue goes so our life goes in both reacting to or in causing the course of nature.
Certainly not everything is a direct cause and effect relationship to our words or not all is caused by words. Some forms of pressure in life we experience can be attributed to other things such as persecution for the Word’s sake (Mark 4), tribulation that comes from living in a fallen world (John 16:33), our obedience to God being opposed by satanic storms (Luke 8:22-25), and satanic hindrances (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Our actions and behaviors can also be seeds influencing the pressures or harvest in life we are experiencing. We can, though, begin to TURN ABOUT our lives to go in the right direction no matter what the source of the pressure is, by using our words to release our faith to overcome.
Pastor John Rasicci is the founder and Pastor of Word of His Grace Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where we are building people who are building the Church. Pastor's ministry mission is to help people discover God's dream for their Life, the Local Church, and the Last Days' Harvest. With a strong emphasis on the grace of God and with a prophetic voice, Pastor John preaches and teaches in churches, conferences, and crusades both locally and throughout the world. He has produced books, tapes, and other teaching materials to empower, enable, and equip Believers with the Word of God. Pastor John is married to his wife Candy who with their three children, Krista, Joanna, John Anthony, and two son-in-laws, Matt and Doug, serve together in the ministry. After graduating from Kent State University, Pastor John pursued a career in professional baseball before accepting the call to the ministry. He and his wife, Candy, received their ministry training from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
John Rasicci 
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