James 3:1-12
Today's Passage: James 3:1-12
I recently bought an antique painting of a couple of ships out at sea. It’s beautiful and is now hanging in my dining room. I bought it because it reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by John Shedd: “A ship in harbor is safe – but that’s not what ships are built for.” I’ve included a picture of it below:
Our passage today talks about how our tongue, or our speech, is like the small bit of a bridle controlling a horse, a small fire burning an entire forest, or the tiny rudder of a ship controlling the entire craft. They have tremendous power. If those small things are not in control, then the horse or fire or ship is completely out of control. But how do you solve the problem of a horse not knowing what to do or a ship not being steered well? Do you keep the horse in the barn or the ship docked forever? No, because that’s not the purpose of a horse or a ship. That’s like saying a vow of silence is what will fix your speech, and our purpose is not sitting idly and silently.
We must ask the question: who is in control of the rudder of this ship? For some it’s their emotional reactions to circumstances, and for others it is whatever comes to mind at that moment. James points us toward giving control of the rudder to the Holy Spirit who indwells those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus. Living in the power of the Holy Spirit is what God built us for!
Is there anything you’ve said this week that doesn’t line up with what God has built you for? Pray for the Lord to reveal anything you need to confess and seek forgiveness for.
Written By: Kaitlin White
I recently bought an antique painting of a couple of ships out at sea. It’s beautiful and is now hanging in my dining room. I bought it because it reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by John Shedd: “A ship in harbor is safe – but that’s not what ships are built for.” I’ve included a picture of it below:
Our passage today talks about how our tongue, or our speech, is like the small bit of a bridle controlling a horse, a small fire burning an entire forest, or the tiny rudder of a ship controlling the entire craft. They have tremendous power. If those small things are not in control, then the horse or fire or ship is completely out of control. But how do you solve the problem of a horse not knowing what to do or a ship not being steered well? Do you keep the horse in the barn or the ship docked forever? No, because that’s not the purpose of a horse or a ship. That’s like saying a vow of silence is what will fix your speech, and our purpose is not sitting idly and silently.
We must ask the question: who is in control of the rudder of this ship? For some it’s their emotional reactions to circumstances, and for others it is whatever comes to mind at that moment. James points us toward giving control of the rudder to the Holy Spirit who indwells those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus. Living in the power of the Holy Spirit is what God built us for!
Is there anything you’ve said this week that doesn’t line up with what God has built you for? Pray for the Lord to reveal anything you need to confess and seek forgiveness for.
Written By: Kaitlin White
2 Comments
Great analogy and visual, Kaitlin! Very helpful point to ponder.
Great advice! In the troubling storms of life, to not let the attacking wave-circumstances flood our circuits and drown us, but to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance for how to ride our whatever comes and how to even minister grace to the people causing the waves (like Jesus did on the Cross). Lord, help me to live this one out.