Proclamation:
"Not many of you should
presume to be teachers, my
brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." James 3:1 (NIV)
Explanation:
These words were written
under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by James, the half-brother of
Jesus. James warned the people of God
that teaching and preaching should be taken very seriously and not entered into
lightly. He told them that they will be
held to and judged by a higher standard.
False teachers and those who intentionally lead others astray will be
judged more strictly.
Application:
While this passage of scripture clearly applies to pastors and preachers, it also applies to teachers in general, especially religious teachers. If you are in a position to provide instruction to others, be very careful regarding what you say. This is especially true if you teach, lead, guide, or direct children. This would also include parents and those who raise children. Leading the youth and young adults astray has very serious consequences. (Matthew 18:6-7; Mark 9:42; and Luke 17:1-2) Remember that children learn what they see and what they hear, so we should be careful regarding what we do and say in front of children. We can “teach” without saying a word to them. We would not want a child to stumble into sin by following our example. In fact, as believers, we do not want to put stumbling blocks in the way of anyone that would cause them to fall into sin. (Romans 14:13 and 1 Corinthians 8:9) “Teachers” themselves, and not just the material that they teach, can be examples to those who observe them. We should make sure that those that we “teach” can see Christ in us. When judgement day comes, teachers will be held to a higher standard and will be judged more strictly. So, be careful regarding what you teach.
While this passage of scripture clearly applies to pastors and preachers, it also applies to teachers in general, especially religious teachers. If you are in a position to provide instruction to others, be very careful regarding what you say. This is especially true if you teach, lead, guide, or direct children. This would also include parents and those who raise children. Leading the youth and young adults astray has very serious consequences. (Matthew 18:6-7; Mark 9:42; and Luke 17:1-2) Remember that children learn what they see and what they hear, so we should be careful regarding what we do and say in front of children. We can “teach” without saying a word to them. We would not want a child to stumble into sin by following our example. In fact, as believers, we do not want to put stumbling blocks in the way of anyone that would cause them to fall into sin. (Romans 14:13 and 1 Corinthians 8:9) “Teachers” themselves, and not just the material that they teach, can be examples to those who observe them. We should make sure that those that we “teach” can see Christ in us. When judgement day comes, teachers will be held to a higher standard and will be judged more strictly. So, be careful regarding what you teach.
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