JAMES

HEALTH OF OUR BODY AND DIRECTION OF LIFE

Tuesday – February 24, 2026

Video link: https://youtu.be/5AIdaO_Lw0U

Greetings precious saints of God and others and welcome to our study of the Bible Book of James. A very practical, informative, and corrective Book. It is corrective if we come with ears to hear and eyes to see. I must warn you that pretty much the whole third chapter of James has to do with our mouths and the great good or evil it produces. Concerning correction or chastening listen to the Holy Spirit through the writer of the Bible Book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:11 (KJV)

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

I want the fruit of righteousness, what about you? Now let’s go to our primary text for today.

James 3:1-4 (ESV)

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

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.

4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

Yesterday I left off discussing the first two verses. We were admonished concerning becoming teachers for teachers will be “judged with greater strictness”. This reference to “teachers” would apply to any of the Five-Fold Ministry gifts. If, however, you know the Lord has called you to that gifting in the body of Christ embrace it wholeheartedly for you are well able with Him. Here is one admonition from me, to whatever you are called in the body of Christ, stay in your lane, in your calling. There is nothing more pitiful than watching man or woman called to one Ministry gift trying to operate in Ministry gift to which they are not called. Yesterday we also discussed how our nature (character, personality, disposition, temperament) is determined by how we bridle or don’t bridle our mouth. We also discussed that a mature Christian who bridles their mouth can control their whole body, that is govern their health.

Next James moves into a couple of examples to illuminate his points. First, he speaks (the Holy Spirit through him) of how the bit in the horses mouth gives one control of the horse. As the rider we can direct them as we wish. Let me point out something here. So long as the horse to doing as we direct this bit is not bothersome or painful. However, if the horse wants to do its own thing and we bring correction with the bit it is painful. Perhaps you are ahead of me here but controlling our mouth to be a Godly mouth will take effort and we won’t like it at the moment. Have you heard someone say something negative to or in the presence of a person. Then when it was pointed out, they responded with “well it’s the truth and I said it lovingly”. Perhaps it was the truth as they saw it but it sure was not in Godly love. Did it need to be said?

Next James gives the example of how a great ship is controlled by a very small rudder in comparison to the size of the ship. However, the captain of that boat turns the rudder is the direction of the ship. Do you know that your mouth is not only directing your life but many around you. What direction is your life going and what about the people around you upon which you have an influence? Pay close attention to the following passage as we conclude for today.

Proverbs 4:20-24 (NIV)

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

TAKE HOME:

1. Just as a bit in the mouth of a horse controls their behavior so does controlling our speech determine our behavior.
2. Just as a rudder controls the direction of a ship so does our mouth dictate the direction of our life.
3. How much we meditate, speak, and live by the Word of God determines the health of our body and direction circumstances of our lives.

Lord willing, I will resume right here tomorrow.  Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.

By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice

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