Will Justify win the Triple Crown?

The American Triple Crown is a distinguished award earned by the horse that wins the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. In nearly 100 years, only 12 horses have won all three races. A horse named Sir Barton won the first Triple Crown in 1919. The last Triple Crown winner was American Pharoah in 2015. Today, a few hours from now, the horse Justify will attempt to become the 13th horse in history to sweep the Triple Crown.

It's an amazing feat by an amazing and powerful animal. But what's even more amazing is how those relatively small jockeys can control those big, powerful animals. How does a 115 lb man control a 1,200 lb racehorse that moving 40 mph? The Bible tells us how in the NT book of James, chapter 3, verses 2-3 NKJV:

"For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body."

So there you have it. By maneuvering a small bit in the mouth of a horse, the rider is able to "turn their whole body." Likewise, in verse four, James says a great ship is "turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires." James uses two illustrations to show how a large thing is controlled by a small thing. A powerful horse is controlled by a small bit in its mouth, and a great ship is controlled by a small rudder. The implication being whoever controls the smaller, also controls the larger. Or to put it another way, I demonstrate mastery of the larger (my whole body) by showing I can master the smaller (my tongue).

"If anyone does not stumble in word [by their small tongue], he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." If a man or woman is able to bridle their small and unruly tongue, they are able also to bridle their whole body. And in so doing, they demonstrate perfection or maturity - which is growing into Christ-likeness.

The Apostle James uses strong language to describe the human tongue. "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so." ~ James 3:6-10

Wow! According to the Scriptures, my tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, an unruly evil, full of deadly poison, set on fire by hell! I must confess, all too often, such is the case. However, since my tongue influences my whole body, if I allow the Spirit to bridle my tongue (no man can tame the tongue), that same Spirit is able to bridle my whole body! If the Spirit has control of the smaller [member], then the same Spirit can guide and control the larger [member]. To put it a different way: the perfect or mature saint validates the Spirit has control over his or her whole body by demonstrating that the Spirit has control over their tongue.

I love the following commentary from Bible teacher Matthew Henry. It's worth reading again and again: "We are taught to govern our tongue so as to prove ourselves perfect and upright men, and such as have an entire government over ourselves: If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. It is here implied that he whose conscience is affected by tongue-sins, and who takes care to avoid them, is an upright man, and has an undoubted sign of true grace. But, on the other hand, if a man seemeth to be religious (as was declared in the first chapter) and bridleth not his tongue, whatever profession he makes, that man’s religion is vain. Further, he that offends not in word will not only prove himself a sincere Christian, but a very much advanced and improved Christian. For the wisdom and grace which enable him to rule his tongue will enable him also to rule all his actions. ... The governing and guiding of all the motions of a horse, by the bit which is put into his mouth: Behold, we put bits into the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body, v. 3. There is a great deal of brutish fierceness and wantonness in us. This shows itself very much by the tongue: so that this must be bridled; according to Ps. 39:1 , I will keep my mouth with a bridle (or, I will bridle my mouth) while the wicked is before me. The more quick and lively the tongue is, the more should we thus take care to govern it. Otherwise, as an unruly and ungovernable horse runs away with his rider, or throws him, so an unruly tongue will serve those in like manner who have no command over it. Whereas, let resolution and watchfulness, under the influence of the grace of God, bridle the tongue, and then all the motions and actions of the whole body will be easily guided and overruled."

O LORD, according to Your grace and mercy, grant me the resolution and watchfulness to bridle my tongue, and then all the motions and actions of my whole body will be easily guided and overruled by Your Holy Spirit.

Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!