rudder

Look at ships too: though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s impulse directs. James 3:4

James compares our tongues to rudders on ships. A rudder is very small but its positioning determines the direction of a ship. Would you steer your ship into a bunch of rocks? Another ship? I think the answer the claear answer is no. However, we seem to do this daily. We may gossip, lie, or respond quickly with anger. The Bible provides us with the tools to help us measure if what is coming out of our mouth's is good or bad. Ephesians 4:29 reads: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 5:4 reads: Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Matt. 12:34: You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

I really need to work on controlling my tongue. It is so easy to give into gossip and destroying others reputations when you are not surrounded by believers.