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organ of direction

James 3:1-4 (JDV)

James 3:1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will be scrutinized more strictly.
James 3:2 You see, we all trip in many ways. If anyone does not trip in what he says, he is mature and able also to control the whole body.
James 3:3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies.
James 3:4 And think about ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

organ of direction

A bit on a bridle, and a rudder on a ship. Both are very small parts, but they are crucial to the operation of the whole. The bit is how the rider directs the horse. The rudder is how the captain directs the ship.

That is why we need to control our tongues, and the teaching role should be limited to those who have control of their tongues. The tongue is not just the organ of speech. It is an organ of direction.