The rudder of a vessel is relatively quite small–tiny, in fact. Yet it wields enormous influence. It is the image that the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55) uses to portray the power (often destructive power) of the divisive tongue:

“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. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire” (James 3:4-5, ESV).

James was a realist. He knew what human nature was like: “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8, ESV).

And wise Solomon taught the same principles: “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28, ESV).

There is invariably a slice of folks who wish to sow division among the brethren. They may don a sanctified face, even. They may speak words that are smooth as butter, in fact. David wrote of such a person: “His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords” (Psalm 55:21, ESV).

There’s nothing new under the sun. The whisperers, the shade-casting, divisive, slithering, smooth-talking accusers of the brethren still abide and camouflage themselves and their armies as angels of light.