If you’ve ever ridden a horse or watched a horse riding event, you’ll notice an object that is put over the mouth of the horse and attached to 2 strings used to control the horse’s movement, that’s called a bit. So for every “hiyah” the rider makes, he uses the bit to control the horse’s direction. Apostle James uses this analogy of a bit to describe the mouth of humans. As small as these 2 parts might seem, they are used to control the whole body.

James‬ ‭3:2‭-‬3‬ ‭

English Standard Version

2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

Through the following verses, he uses other analogies to explain the importance of your tongue and he says that a little fire can set ablaze a whole forest, so the tongue though a little member can boast of great things.

Proverbs‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭

New King James Version

3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:23‬ ‭

New King James Version

3 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Your words can either preserve you or destroy you, they carry power and this is why it is very important to control your mouth and the things you say.

Jesus speaking to the multitude said that it is not what goes into your mouth that defiles but what comes out of it. Meaning that it isn’t about what you eat, be it covered in blood or not, but the things you say. This was important to establish to them because they had laws against eating certain types of meat which made them unclean.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:17‭-‬19‬ ‭

New King James Version

‬‬17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

He’s saying that it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man because what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart. This is why your words are important! They aren’t just empty shells but they are proceedings from your heart. Your words reflect the contents of your heart. So invariably, controlling your words boils down to what you feed your heart. Look at this

Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3

New King James V‬‬ersion

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

3 “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”

The very world we live in today was created by the words God spoke. This is significant in that it shows us that words can shape reality. If God could speak into nothing and the world can be formed, that should tell you that the power of God can go after words spoken.

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭

New King James V‬‬ersion

21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

Although this text is primarily talking about faith, the Bible says if you speak to a mountain, telling it to be removed and cast into the sea, believing it can happen, you will have what you say. Words uttered in faith have the ability to shape your world, they can move mountains. Rather than waste your time speaking words that won’t profit you or the world around you, why not put your words to good use? Why not shape your reality?

Colossians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭

New King James Version

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

It is wisdom from the word of God to watch what you say! Our words and the way we communicate them are important. Let your words and the things you say impact those around you and all who hear it including unbelievers. Salt preserves and brings out flavor of food, it soothes, it heals; your words should have this effect. Let every conversation you have be gracious.

As believers and people with changed desires, our speech must show our changed hearts. It must be discernable through what you say that your identity is in Christ. We are accountable for every word we speak.

Ephesians 4:29

New King James Version

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Let obscene words be far from your mouths. Your words can and should be used for edification. Let them impart grace towards all who hear.

Prayer Point:
From today, I’m able to control my words and my tongue. My words will be gracious and seasoned with salt at all times.