James 3:2
[2] “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”
A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. It includes the headstall that holds the bit in the horse’s mouth and the reins that attach to the bit. The purpose of the bridle is to restrain the horse when necessary and direct the horse in the right way. It helps to conquer and control the animal.
James teaches that whenever a man controls his words, he is able to have control over his whole body. He is able to control his attitude, his temperament, his thought process, and his actions. Has there ever been a man who never offended in word? James not only knew the man who never offended in word but lived in the same house with this man as they grew up.
James was the half-brother of the Lord Jesus. He saw Jesus on a more personal level than many others would have. Can you imagine living each day with such an example? What a great influence our Lord must have been before His own household. He never spoke an ill word or an unfitting sentence to them. They never saw Jesus lose His temper, and He never had to apologize for verbally abusing or hurting them.
Christ had discipline in His conversation and character, and His Person was utterly flawless. No doubt James was thinking of Him as he penned this verse. You may feel that you could never live up to the standard Jesus has set and that you could never be perfect in your speech and temperament, but dear reader, we all fail just as our brother James did. However, we have a great example, and we must strive daily to choose our words in a way that will not offend those with whom we come in contact.