Thoughts on the Word "Reins"

Wild About Horses!

Thoughts On The Word Reins

In the King James Version of the Bible, the word "reins" is used sometimes for the translation of the same Hebrew word that is also translated "inmost being, heart, mind and spirit". Let's look at some of the verses and see what we can learn.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. Psalms 16:7 We can compare that with the New International Version: I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Reins and hearts teach us.

Examine me, O Lord; and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Psalms 26:2 In the NIV: Test me, O lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; When we ride and use the reins to guide the horse, aren't we testing him a little to see if he will obey? We're seeing whether the reins are connected to the horse's mind and willingness to comply with our directions. When the Lord communicates with us, isn't he testing us to see if we'll listen and obey? He is checking to see if our "reins" are connected to our hearts (our spirits) and to our bodies (our willingness to obey).

Reins are used for guidance and direction, not for control. The bit in the horse's mouth is for the control. James 3:3 says Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

Some people use a harsher bit on a horse that doesn't obey, but others work more gently with the horse, using the reins (guiding, suggesting, testing) to gently teach the horse to obey the little requests. As the horse becomes more willing and more submissive, the rider-trainer asks for more difficult tasks and more submission. Eventually, the horse is able to perform complex moves under stressful conditions with just the slightest suggestions from the rider. A top level dressage horse is an example of this training and submission.

Does our Lord Jesus Christ teach us in a similar way? Does He suggest and then reward us with peace in our souls and spirits when we are agreeing and obeying Him? Can we learn to recognize even the slightest suggestions through the "reins" (our minds and spirits) so that we go on with Him to more difficult (and exciting!) tasks?

We can always keep in mind Who is at the other end of our "reins", and that He knows a lot more about what needs to be done than we do! Let us all be more submissive and "listen" through our "reins"!