Judging with the Tongue

Bits and horses, rudders and ships, and fires and forests. James 3.3-5 ties together three illustrations producing a great effect with a small element. The horse and bit emphasize the small size of the bit moving such a powerful horse - a great impact. The ship and rudder emphasize guidance. But the fire and forest analogy emphasize destructive potential. This leads us into the specific application of James 3.1-12 to the subject of gossip.