In the book of James, the author tells us something sobering. He warns that not many should become teachers, and he tells us why:
“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).
It’s interesting that James openly puts himself into the category of teacher. Many read into this that teachers will receive stricter punishment, but it is not punishment James warns as a consequence of teaching, but judgment.
I have talked with preachers, Bible class teachers, and even people who write blog posts to teach God’s Word. It’s surprising to me how many people struggle with James's warning. Perhaps that’s a good thing. To me, it’s better to struggle with the application than ignore this inspired passage altogether.
In the next few moments, I thought I’d give my perspective on this passage as I apply it to me. It is something I prayerfully consider often. The first thing I see in James' warning is that this is a mantle we seek. Therefore, any warning about becoming teachers must first begin with us examining our motive for becoming teachers. Paul talks about people who teach for different motives in his letter to the brethren at Philippi:
“Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.” (Philippians 1:15-17 ESV).
We know that elders should not seek after the office for dishonest gain, and a big part of their role as shepherds is teaching. So James’ admonition begins with every person who is considering teaching in any capacity first to examine his or her motives in teaching. The wrong motive can lead to the stricter judgment he warns us about.
So, what is this idea about receiving a stricter judgment? Is God harsher on one person than He is on another? Is that fair? Well, in an answer- yes. And Jesus is actually pretty open about this.
“And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.
But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” (Luke 12:47-48 ESV).
This principle goes well beyond teaching, though it helps us understand James' warning of not becoming teachers in a very sobering way. Jesus is talking about wicked servants who do not manage their stewardship in their master’s absence. Depending on what was given to them, their judgment was appropriate. We have trouble with degrees of judgment, but this is not a foreign concept from our King.
If James warns us about being teachers because teachers will receive a stricter judgment, then this is a decision each of us needs to make soberly and with every expectation that we are inviting upon ourselves greater scrutiny from our Master. The truth is, many would be well-served by foregoing the mantle of teaching and finding other areas to serve. Not because teaching is a less noble vocation to pursue but because of the scrutiny it brings upon us.
The question then becomes, why does teaching bring on this greater scrutiny from our King? One obvious reason is that the consequences extend beyond our own lives. It is one thing for each of us to study and follow God’s Law as we see it applied to ourselves, but once we take on the calling of teaching, then our instructions affect others.
What we teach, and perhaps as important, what we do not teach, can result in the actions of fellow heavenly citizens for good or for bad. If we teach in a haphazard manner, then we can be the very thing that spurns someone to stumble. Listen to how our King feels about this:
“but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6 ESV).
When we become teachers, our words can encourage, motivate, and give comfort. But they can also cause people to stumble. It’s not just false teaching that can do this. We can speak the Truth in a way that bludgeons instead of building up. We can sow seeds of discord instead of unity. We can tear down others so that we might be built up in the eyes of some.
When we teach, we need to go beyond the factual truthfulness of our words and consider how we use those words to benefit all who hear. Truthfulness, though imperative, is not the only consideration of a teacher. Becoming a wrecking ball among God’s people with Truth as our weapon will garner a stricter judgment. This is why Paul admonishes us to strive for unity by,
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15 ESV).
But unity alone is not the only consideration that a teacher has. He must see that teaching carries with it the responsibility of watching over the souls of others. Ezekiel likens this to being a watchman. In Ezekiel 33, God talks about how He will hold the watchman responsible. This is the summary of what he says:
“If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.
But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 33:8-9 ESV).
This means that if we seek the mantle of becoming teachers, we must be aware that we are taking on the responsibility even to teach the hard messages. Too many like being teachers when people heap praises upon them for their inspiring messages, but they shy away from teaching the things that people may not want to hear. Once we pursue the mantle of teaching, we take on the whole package.
That means we sometimes tell people to stop doing what they love to do because it is leading them to death. Sometimes, that means we stand alone when other teachers are not teaching what people need to hear, and they vilify us for treading where they want us to remain silent.
Sometimes, being a teacher can be a lonely mantle to take on. Before we do, we must consider the responsibility we are stepping into. We must not do it to please men but to please God. We must be willing to teach a message others hate, knowing it is a message our King loves. We must be willing to suffer loss so that others will gain.
The moment we begin to consider how teaching will bring consequences upon ourselves and then alter what we teach accordingly is the moment we need to consider laying down the mantle of teaching because our judgments will be strict. James says as much. There is no dishonor in laying down the mantle of teaching, but there is much dishonor in crafting our teaching to serve ourselves.
If we seek to take on the mantle of teaching, how do we approach it best to prepare for the stricter judgment we will bring upon ourselves? This is what I do:
Pray: Do not take on this responsibility lightly. Once you do, you will undoubtedly make many enemies, many may even be the people you love and respect today. Teaching is a stewardship, and spending much time in prayer before taking it on is a wise investment to aid in preparing you to handle the arrows that will come your way.
Study: The time to study is long before you choose to take on the mantle of becoming a teacher. In fact, your decision to become a teacher should only happen after you study and have a firm foundation to build on. Teaching is not an “On The Job” training program, though our study and learning will never stop. We must have a strong foundation going into this stewardship. And once we’re in, study becomes the lifeblood to remaining an effective teacher who focuses on Truth. If you are not one who spends time in the Word of God daily, then I tell you without hesitation that you should carefully reconsider becoming a teacher. You do not want to invite the stricter judgment coming your way if you are not committed to becoming a lifelong student of the Word.
Seek Council- Though men are not inspired or perfect, there is wisdom for teachers seeking counsel from other teachers. The danger is not choosing one source to draw upon. Because the stakes are so high, I counsel against going to a single source to draw from. As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another, but do not be afraid to hear many perspectives as you form your understanding of biblical application. And be wary of the ones who steer you only to themselves and pressure you not to seek counsel from anyone else but them and their close-knit circle.
Seek God’s Glory- This goes to the motivation for teaching. In the end, our motivation centers either on God or ourselves. Ensure that God’s glory is the sole motivation you have when you take up the mantle of teaching, If there is any other motivation, then that will be your North Star that will lead you to a stricter judgment. James was well aware of this when he issued his warning that not many should become teachers. It is a good practice to examine your motive for teaching regularly and often.
If you are considering becoming a teacher, or perhaps you are currently a teacher, my heartfelt prayers are for you. I pray you teach the whole counsel of God and that you are not afraid to stand alone if that is what your stewardship calls you to do. Understand when you choose to become a teacher, you will instantly have enemies who will seek to silence you. It comes with the territory. And many of these enemies may be the ones you currently count as friends today,
While I have focused on the soberness of talking on the mantle of teaching, do not forget why we do it. It can be one of the most rewarding experiences God allows us to have on this earth. When we lead others to Jesus or help them overcome sin, we are hard-pressed to experience any greater joy. It is what we are called to do. As long as we do not crave the glory that this brings but give it to the Lord as His faithful steward, we will have years of incredible, amazing joy ahead of us. Few things can match it.
Let me leave you with this message from Paul to the Thessalonian Christians:
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV).
I am in the book of Revelation in my daily Bible reading. While I think there is merit in looking at the symbolism in the book, sometimes we can focus on that to the point where we miss the wonderful message of conquest.
John sees a battle pitted between good and evil. When he sees the power of evil, he often weeps until the one who conquers is revealed. What John learns is that as bad as things may look,
1. God is in control.
2. God will win in the end.
3. Those who are faithful will receive their reward, while those who align with evil will receive the same condemnation of the evil one they follow.
Perhaps it is tempting for faithful children of God to look around at what looks like evil that is out of control in our time. The message we read in Revelation is the same message of sovereignty, power, and conquest of King Jesus.
When things look bleak, and the evil around us seems to hold no bounds, it is all the more important we cling to the one who will conquer and stand victorious in the end.
Now is not the time to yield to the prevalence of the evil that is becoming increasingly brazen in our day.
I am finishing up Revelation in my daily Bible reading. I am not the foremost Bible scholar who can tell you what all the symbolism means in John's Revelation, but I easily see the battle between good and evil and how our sovereign God comes out victorious over His enemies.
It isn't even close.
This is why I cling to God, even when it looks like evil is overpowering our nation and world today. It changes nothing. Evil is still in its death throes. Yet death is certain for sin and the evil one.
This is what I see in Revelation. Today, a verse landed on my heart in a way to reinforce God's sovereignty and power. How Jesus, our great King on His throne, truly has all authority under His feet:
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15 ESV).
Jesus is a conqueror, and we are His soldiers. Light will invade the darkness. People from all nations will flow into His Kingdom. His kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom given to Him by the Ancient of Days.
No matter what happens in the kingdoms of men, it will be no match for the Kingdom of our Lord and King. His Kingdom is where my true citizenship lies. Praise be to my King today and forever.
God's sovereignty is more than the fact He is powerful enough to do what He wants;
He is sovereign because He doesn't have to answer to you, me, or anyone about the choices He makes.
This is the essence of sovereignty.
This aspect of His sovereignty is often the hardest for us to accept.
Immorality in a society can creep up on us so slowly that by the time we are corrupted, we never felt ourselves being corrupted.
This is why we must always look back to Jesus as our North Star. His Words help us stay grounded when the morals of a society start to evolve.
If we go along with our society's march away from God's morality, we can get to a point where we celebrate evil and condemn good.
Even the people of God must be on guard against this sinister tactic of Satan.
“Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 6:15 ESV).
For some, there is the same, or even more, anticipation about the Super Bowl than there is with the return of Jesus.
I suppose the hour is coming when it doesn't matter where our eternal home will be. The memory of any Super Bowl will be so distant we'll hardly recall what it is about.
Enjoy the festivities but always remember what's important in the grand scheme of things.
So, here is a secular example of faith...
The ER doctor tells you the meds he gives you will make you feel better in a day, and you leave the ER believing him, though you are still in pain.
I suppose that's what God expects from us. If we believe in Him, and pledge our lives to Him, things will be better for us though we may not see the “better” at the moment.
It's amazing what we are sometimes quick to give our faith to while withholding it from our God.