James 3:1-12 Series

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)

In my time journaling through this section of James, you can be sure I had a lot to confess and pray. Here is what I wrote;

Jesus, There are so many reasons over the years why I wanted to teach Your word. There was a time I wanted to teach out of pride because I wanted to impress. Teaching quickly became an idol for me because I loved the attention. Thank you for the grace to save me from my sin and the grace to redeem me from my narcissism and pride. Jesus, my struggle today in teaching the whole and sometimes hard truth is out of fear. I fear losing people and I fear failure. This is solely a lack of faith in You to grow and keep Your church. Forgive me Lord and increase my faith in You so that I will never deviate from your Holy Word or miss an opportunity to teach your people the truth that contains the power to set them free. Jesus, I pray that you surround me with teachers with these same convictions. Let every brother and sister, young and old will be taught the whole counsel of God. Holy Spirit, help me to be more like Paul who was unashamed of the gospel believing it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Help me to believe what you spoke through Your servant Solomon who said “Open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!." (Proverbs. 27:5-6). Jesus, fill me and all of our teachers with your Spirit that we may be a true friend to your church, loving them, and teaching them well. I ask these things in the name of Jesus; my loving Teacher. Amen

James teaches here that those who become teachers that they will be judged with the greatest strictness. Though James singles out teachers here the judgment is not limited to leaders in the church. In Matthew 28, Jesus calls every Christian to go and make disciples teaching to observe all he commanded. And this is the responsibility of every follower of Christ. So we must be careful to know Jesus and his word so that we can teach it well. Jesus warns us what we stand before Him and be judged for every word that we have said.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV)

The warning here is that false teachers who speak lies and deceit will be condemned. But for those who teach God's word faithfully, Jesus will reward them for our faithfulness. But again it's going to take immense trust in God that his word is the truth that sets us free. We need to identify the things that keep us from sharing his word wholeheartedly. Last week we pose the question are we okay with an empty confession without any works attached to it. What would be the motive that will cause us to do that? Fear? Doubt? Unbelief? Lack of faith? What is it? What we teach is vitally important and James knows that everyone, including myself, has had a problem with this.