I find horses to be very fascinating animals. Horses are very powerful and multifaceted creatures that have served humans in various ways including transportation in the early days, they were incredible assets in war, agriculture and different trades. The average weight of a horse can be between 454 – 908 kilograms and this makes them utterly destructive if they are not managed. If you have ever ridden a horse, or watched one being ridden, you have seen a kind of rope going through its nose and mouth that the rider holds the reins and which gives direction to the horse. That is called a bridle and its function is to apply pressure on the sensitive facial areas of the animal and enable the rider to provide direction and control.
The word, tongue, is mentioned over 126 times in scripture,and the metaphorical saying, ‘bridling the tongue’is used multiple times to indicate how powerful the tongue is The tongue in itself is not a powerful or large member,but scripture tells us that in it, is the power of life or death. Somewhere in the world, someone gave a false witness and an innocent person has been executed severely. A certain man in power has spoken a word and a nuclear bomb has been launched over a city. A wife has cursed her child in anger and their life has been one of struggle and strife because a word was spoken by their earthly steward.
A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! MSG
In our theme scripture, the servant of the Lord reveals to us that some small objects such as rudders on a ship, bridles on horses, a spark to start a forest fire all cause great damage or control and yet the tongue, which is smallest of all, can accomplish or destroy anything. In 1989, in Harlem city, five black and latino teenagers were wrongly convicted for raping a caucasian woman in a park. Majority of these little boys were all below 18 years of age and had been playing around in the park as kids their age do. The false witness of one person completely changed the trajectory of their lives, destroyed their reputations and put them in jail for a crime they didn’t even have the physical capacity to fulfill given all the evidence that had been brought forth. A handful of years later, they were proven innocent, but the damage has never been reversed and they live with this traumatic and life altering testimony up until this day.
We see the same experience with Joseph when Potiphar’s wife desired to commit adultery with him and he ran away. Although he had declined her offer, she was wise enough to hold on to his garment and with her tongue accused him of rape which he had not committed and considering her position, the words of her mouth could not be questioned . The young man spent about two years in prison for a crime he did not commit and there certainly were people in his time who believed him to be a rapist regardless of having been acquitted and promoted as governor simply because reputation once trampled can take a lifetime to clear.
The same is with us believers who have been made in the image of God who created heaven and earth with His Word.t is important to understand that we carry the same power in our tongue. We praise Him with one word and in the same breath curse the people whom He made in their image for whatever carnal reason presented to us not realizing we are tearing down the very house we are trying to build very argument is not for us to engage in, neither is every defense for us to take because vengeance belongs to God The world constantly pushes us left and right, convincing us we ought to always take matters in our hands but the ways of God are much more efficient although repulsive to the carnal side of man.
This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. MSG
As children of God, it is pivotal that we understand this simple principle. Likewise on the bright side of things, the tongue rightly used is a mighty weapon of victory if a believer is able to confess right, repent in time, and hold fast to the truth found in the promises of God, which are our inheritance. Anyone that has believed and does not change their confession in times of testing or doubt, will surely inherit their portion because it is a constant communication to God that you believe and trust in what He spoke. That is why even our conversion is simply done by a spoken word, for it is written ‘with the heart man believes and with their mouth confesses unto salvation’ . Isn’t it valuable proof that just by a declaration stemming from faith, you cross over to the Lord’s side?
Child of God, let this be a reminder or challenge of your responsibility to rightfully use your tongue for what is expedient and lawful. Meditate and ponder on these words: ‘But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. SELAH
If you have never given your life to Jesus Christ, and you feel that this is the perfect time, pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I thank you because you died for my sins and you were raised for my glory. Today, I receive you as my Lord and Savior. I am born again. Amen.”
