There is a cyclical desire to hold the latest, greatest position in the church. For example, thirty years ago, the evangelist was the desired position, they got to travel. Then prophets became glamorous, they were influential. After a while pastoring became a coveted position because it was thought to be lucrative. In the last ten years or so, however, the ministry of music has become so important to the success of the worship service that their weekly salary is often equal to or more than the accumulative salaries of the pastor and all other staff. I want to add for your consideration that not everyone who desired and functioned in these positions were called or equipped by God.
In First Church, people coveted the position of “teacher.” Today we begin a series on the power of the tongue with the focus on the position of “teacher” because James has an abundance of advice to those who would teach God’s people. Let’s examine just one verse: James 3:1 (Amplified Bible) – Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].
In First Church the teacher was held in honor and named in the list of gifts from God to the church: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-12).
James gave a warning to those who said God called them to the office of “teacher” because teachers will be judged by God Himself by a higher standard. Consider this:
- “The teacher places himself in greater danger of judgment because the main tool of his ministry is also the part of the body most difficult to control: the tongue” (Moo).
- “They must take care that they are teaching the truth and not their own opinions or even their own prejudices” (Barclay).
- They must never get into the position where their scholars and students cannot hear what they say for listening to what they are” (Barclay).
- “Heaven notices what you say” (Evans).
- “A ready tongue without an informed mind, a devout character, and a holy life will hinder rather than advance the cause of Christ” (Vaughan, editors Anders & Lea).
- This statement is about false teachers: “…they shall receive greater condemnation than common sinners; they have not only sinned in thrusting themselves into that office to which God has never called them, but through their insufficiency the flocks over whom they have assumed the mastery perish for lack of knowledge, and their blood will God require at the watchman’s hand. A man may have this mastery according to the law of the land, and yet not have it according to the Gospel; another may affect to have it according to the Gospel, because he dissents from the religion of the state, and not have it according to Christ. Blockheads are common, and knaves and hypocrites may be found everywhere” (Clarke, accessed June 12, 2020).
- “To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked” (Luke 12:48).
The ministry of teacher is serious heavenly business. My gifting is teacher. I do not take the gift for granted. I am not a perfect teacher, but I try to be the best teacher I can be by equipping myself through prayer and study and living what I teach.
But I want to point out that even though James’ warning is for the office of “teacher” we all teach. Parents, co-workers, friends, managers, neighbors, pastors, prophets, evangelists all teach. We teach each other each time we speak.
If your lips would keep from slips,
Five things to observe with care:
To whom you speak, of whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where. -Author Unknown
Considering the scary truth of James 3:1, ask yourself the following:
- Do I accept the truth that I am teaching those around me even if my spiritual gift is not “teacher.”
- Do I need to be more careful with my words?
- Do I need to spend more time in Scripture so that my conversation reflects the heart of God?
- Am I building people up or am I tearing them down with my tongue?
- Based on my recent conversations, how would God judge me?
Join the Conversation.
Admonished. Thank you for this sharing, precious teacher.
Thank you Dr. Haire for this article.
I agree, we all teach as we speak. I do accept the true teachings that has set me free numerous of times.
They’ve been times I’ve had to retract what I’ve said, being more careful and slow to speak. Knowing Gods word with faith actions reveals the God in me. I honestly try to see the best in people and share words of encouragement even in their darkness. Recently I was with someone who told me the gentleman that waited on them gave back too much change. My response to them was to do the right thing, you be honest, even though they didn’t see it, I believe those words would come back to them.
God Bless!
Thank you Dr Haire
As always very inspirational!!
Much love!!
Dan
Such an awesome Word which causes all of us to be conscience of conversing the Truth in all our ways. Keep up the good work….
Lovely article, Dr. Many Teachers put themselves in the pulpit, knowing that they shouldn’t be there. They prepare a hoop or tune, which I have no problem with it in God’s Leading, but if they are doing it for their flesh satisfaction, I have a problem with it and I know God does. Like you said in your article, the ministry of the teacher is very serious and nothing to be played with. If ministerial teaching isn’t a gift that an individual doesn’t have, he should exclude himself from that position.
So you just gone act like this, right?
I believe that God called me to be a teacher of the Gospel. I ran away from God for many years because of the fact that he does hold teachers to a higher standard. I know me and I know I’m far from perfect so the last thing I needed was to be held even more accountable; to a higher standard. But I do know that I love God and the word of God. and I taught it to the best of my ability. I put in many hours to study and prepare myself. When I gave my opinion I made sure everyone knew it’s my opinion not the Gospel. No, I didn’t want to be a teacher but I wanted to be obedient to God. I just pray that God will help me live a life that is pleasing to him; that’s fitting for the call on my life.
This reminds me of the parable The wedding feast ” many are called but few are chosen”. There was a man at the feast that that accepted the call but wasn’t properly dressed he didn’t have on a wedding garment. The king ordered the man to be bound and cast into outer darkness. If the person accepts the call they should embrace Jesus with their whole heart. Not just an external acceptance but an internal acceptance. Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman who need not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of God. 2Timothy 2:15.
This right here!!!!
That’s all I’m going to say
Study to show yourself approved
Powerful article Dr. Haire! It is great to be reminded that we ALL teach others in some way. Asking ourselves, “How will God judge this conversation “ may prevent a lot of unnecessary conversations that may leave us empty afterward! Our words are extremely powerful, influential and life altering/ life changing if taken into serious consideration by others! It takes time to study, read, or go through life experiences to offer others words of wisdom and encouragement. As a result, I will continue to practice using my time and words wisely to positively impact others!
Wonderful article, Dr. Haire. Thank you for expounding on such needed truths!
Thank you Dr. Haire for your faithfulness unto God.for the gift he has given to you I know it is the true.be I have benefited from it in my life. So ,l says yes to question 1,2,3 I’m working on all the other’s yes I do know that all teachers in the life we live ,iam more careful in my speaking to others today I want God to get the glory
I agree. We’re always teaching when we speak. Careful with those words. I love “5 things to observe with care.” Thanks 😊
Thank you Dr Haire for this Blog. I do appreciate the gift of teaching that God had instilled in you and for sharing with the body of Christ. I so agree that whenever I speak I am teaching although I do not have the gifting to teach.The right words do not always come out of my mouth and sometimes in joking with the wrong word they are still in the atmosphere that I can take back, so I need to be more aware of that . I do need my words to be based upon the heart of God by reading and studying more to get the words of God in heart and what in my heart will come from my mouth. I try to build people up, but you know you have those people that even though you try to say the right thing, the wrong word come out (not swearing) in the wrong way. If I look at my recent conversation I will say God may not be pleased with my words. God is still working on me and there is still much work to be done.
Another great message! The tongue is a mighty weapon that can be used for good and bad. We have to remember… once spoken we can’t get it back.
You are always right on, teacher!