The Bridle - James 3:2

James 3:2b “…If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”

It is truly amazing how a small tool can have such dominance over raw power and strength. Although it does not come across as overly impressive when you first see one, the bridle is quite a remarkable piece of gear.  Fashioned from pieces of leather and metal, the bridle is an equestrian tool used to control the direction a horse is running as well as the speed at which he moves.  The bridle is comprised mainly of the headstall, which holds a metal bit that goes into the horse’s mouth, and the reins, which are held by the rider and used to control the animal. 
Horses have an incredible amount of power. So much, that we measure the capability of a fuel-powered engine in “horsepower.”  The difference is, fuel engines do not have a mind of their own as a horse does.  That is why they need to be harnessed.  A horse that has been made suitable to ride is given the term "broken" or “meeked.”  This means that what was once unharnessed and unstable has been made calm and controlled.  All horses must go through this process of submission if they are to be used of any significant consequence.  Once a horse has been made ready for everyday use, the master will use a bridle each time he rides.  This bridle ensures that whatever desire the master has while riding is transmitted accurately to the horse. How amazing it is that such a small piece of equipment can prevent something potentially harmful or deadly from happening!
So tis true in the life of a Christian.  The Bible tells us in the New Testament book of James, that our tongue is a little member of the body that can cause great destruction and harm.  We are often reminded again and again in Scripture of the devilish nature of our tongue and just how poisonous our words can be if not properly harnessed.  The book of Proverbs in the Bible tells us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”  How true this reality is!  Just as an unbridled horse running out of control, so the tongue of man can run unchecked and untempered leaving destruction and hurt in its wake.  The Bible refers to the man who is able to keep his words from offending other people as a “perfect” man.  The understanding of this passage is that this man is a complete or matured Christian.  He does not become sinless, nor will he ever be on this side of Heaven.  I’m embarrassed to say how many times I have opened the barn doors of my mouth and let my tongue run unrestrained.  The words that I said and the spirit in which they were said can never be retracted.  Each and every day, I have a responsibility as a husband, a father, a leader, and as a Christian to consciously bridle and harness the power of my tongue.  However, if I attempt to do this in the power of my own strength, I will surely fail.  The only way our tongue can be controlled with any success is by submitting ourselves entirely to the Holy Spirit and allowing him to guide and control our lives each day.  Don’t let your tongue run unchecked and out of control.  Allow the Holy Spirit to use a small but mighty instrument called the bridle to help you control that small but mighty member of the body called the tongue.