James 3:3

3 When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies.

James 3:3 Meaning and Commentary

James 3:3

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths
By this, and the following simile, the apostle not only expresses the smallness of that member of the body, which is like the bit in the horse's mouth, and the helm of a ship, but the good use of it, and the great influence it has over the whole body. Horses are without understanding, and need direction in what path to go, and are strong, and would be truly and ungovernable unless bits and bridles were put into their mouths:

that they may obey us;
and go in the way we would have them:

and we turn about the whole body
of the horse, this way, and that way, as is thought best, by the help of the bit and bridle; and of such use is the tongue to the natural body, that being bridled itself, bridles, directs, and governs the whole body; and its influence on bodies, and societies of men, and Christians, is like that of the bit in the horse's mouth; who, like horses, would be unruly and ungovernable, were it not for the force of language, the power of words, and strength of argument.

James 3:3 In-Context

1 My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly.

2 We all make mistakes often, but those who don't make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely.

3 When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies.

4 Consider ships: they are so large that strong winds are needed to drive them. But pilots direct their ships wherever they want with a little rudder.

5 In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly. Think about this: a small flame can set a whole forest on fire.