Devotionals by Raul Ries

SUNDAY July 19, 2026

The Unbridled Tongue

Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
James 3:3-5

Yet another needed exhortation was given by James to Christians. This time he put great emphasis on self-control regarding that little member––the tongue. Our tongues can be so uncontrollable. If the tongue is left unbridled, it can boast great things and cause so much destruction.

In getting his point across, James used the example of a rider who bridles his horse to control its direction. We must learn to bridle our tongues! Another simple illustration he used was related to ships. Some ships are massive, yet the captain can control his ship from the helm by moving the small rudder. I have been on a huge, six-story ship and have seen how it was controlled. Yet people find it so hard to control their tongues.

The tongue is one of the smallest members of our body, but the words spoken from the tongue can spread like a catastrophic fire. Honestly, since are all sinners, each one of us has been guilty of saying words that hurt others. It is important to think before we speak. We need to be careful with our words. Proverbs 29:20 tells us: Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. You see, it is foolish to speak hastily.

Think your words through before you say something you will later regret.  This way you will not intentionally offend, hurt or damage the heart of someone. We can apologize to those we have hurt, but once words have been spoken, they can never be taken back. People may forgive us for what we say to them, but realize that unkind words spoken will be remembered.

Of all the members in the body, there is none so serviceable to Satan as the tongue.
~Thomas Brooks~

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