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Not many of you should
become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged
with greater strictness. – James 3:1 (ESV)
Picture courtesy of John
Heseltine/Pam Masco/FreeBibleimages.org
[PHOTO SOURCE: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/james-3-1]
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“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1).
Today
we return to the book of James and resume our study in chapter 3. Thus far we
have seen that James is primarily concerned with explaining how true faith
responds to the various trials we encounter in our lives. Authentic faith
rejoices in trials, asking for wisdom to endure them, for in the endurance of
trials, perseverance is produced (James 1:1–8). Genuine trust
in the Lord manifests itself when the rich are not favored in the church but
are encouraged, along with the poor, to boast in the Lord (1:9–10; 2:1–7).
True
faith is revealed in that genuine believers not only hear the Word of God, but
they also obey it (1:22–25). The good works done in obedience to our Lord and
Savior do not in any way contribute to our justification. However, if we do not
respond to our trials by producing good works, we must question ourselves as to
whether we have actually trusted in Christ alone for salvation (2:14–26).
Having
already emphasized the importance of good works as evidence of our salvation at
the close of chapter 2, James again in chapter 3 gives us practical advice
concerning the good work of bridling the tongue. In verses 1 and 2, he
introduces this subject by telling us that not many of us should
become teachers.
The
warning concerning teachers is a particularly appropriate way to introduce this
section since teachers generally use their tongues in their work far more than
any other profession. The reason why not many should become teachers is that
teachers will be judged with greater strictness (v. 1). If every idle word will
be brought into judgment (Matt. 12:36),
then how much more will the statements of teachers be judged since they so
deeply influence our knowledge of God and development of
Christian character?
James
also notes that all of us stumble in many ways, especially in our speech (3:2).
All of us have spoken maliciously at times, often without even thinking about
it. But, as James says, if we can control the tongue we will also be able to
control our whole body. Since it is so easy to have a sinful slip of the
tongue, if we can avoid sinning when we speak, we will also be able to avoid
sinning elsewhere.
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18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of
this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the
plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall
take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his
part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things
which are written in this book. – Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)
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Coram Deo
Today’s
passage warns us about taking up the task of teaching too casually. When we
accept such a position of influence over others, whether in an official,
ministerial capacity or not, God will judge the words we speak more strictly.
If you are in a teaching position now, carefully prepare your lessons so that
you teach only what the Bible teaches. If you are not currently serving as a
teacher, spend much time in prayer and consideration before you volunteer to
be one.
Passages
for Further Study
INTERNET SOURCE: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/judgment-teachers/
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