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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 5, NUMBER 27, JULY 10, 2005 “BE NOT MANY OF YOU TEACHERS” One of the more interesting warnings that we find in scripture is found in James 3:1. James wrote, “Let not many of your become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.” To begin to understand the meaning of what James is saying, it is essential to keep it in its context. How does it fit with what we read in chapters 2 and 3? In the context the point is made that words without works are worthless, just as faith apart from works is dead. The blessings of Christ come to those who hear and do, not to those who hear and do not. Even those whose very work is to use “words” to teach the truth must remember what a very weighty responsibility that involves and not rush into it without the due and necessary preparation and a thorough understanding and appreciation for the work they are doing. Reading the New Testament epistles gives the indication that in the first century there were some of the brethren who desired attention and influence that came from the more visible types of functions. 1 Corinthians 14 addresses that tendency, as does the passage under consideration now. In 1 Timothy 1, we find in verses 5-7, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.” There was a real danger of some doing teaching when they just weren’t qualified or prepared to do it. The truth is that not all disciples are equipped to be public teachers of the word. Remember 1 Cor. 12:17? It says, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?” There are other duties and activities in the church that are equally vital and if one is not particularly adept in one area, he or she may be exceptional in another. Every time I stand before a group of people, either to teach a bible class or to present a lesson in our worship services, I pause to remind myself of the awesome responsibility I have assumed. The subjects with which a bible teacher deals are eternal in nature, and this is why James tells us that those who do so “shall incur a stricter judgment.” The phrase literally means “greater judgment.” The word translated “judgment” here almost always means condemnation. The word is “krima”, from “krino”, meaning to separate, or distinguish. The idea is that at the great day of judgment, the Lord “will separate” those who have been teachers of the Word from those who have not, and will then hold them accountable for that action. The consequences of teaching that which is false can be fatal – and those who teach without proper preparation and mislead their listeners must answer under a “stricter judgment.” I am reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 18:5-7. “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; and whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes.!” As teachers of the Word, either through public bible classes or as presenters of sermons, we must also be prepared for a “stricter judgment” for those we teach. Indeed, in Luke 8:18, Jesus exhorted all to “Therefore take care how you listen…” and in 1 John 4:1, we are told “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Those that we teach have the responsibility to “examine the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things are so” (Acts 17:11). If we assume the task of teaching, we must expect our words to be closely examined, debated and dissected. Indeed, what we say publicly is fair game. I have been confronted in the back and in the front of auditoriums after services, sometimes rationally and sometimes irrationally. I have had people make broad demonstrations of how they felt about what I had to say. That is just the way it goes. Does this mean that a teacher or preacher must be perfect? I pray not, for I have made many mistakes and have needed to correct them. I have changed views as my understanding of scripture matured and will continue to do so. However, it does mean that all who choose to teach publicly must appreciate how serious a matter it truly is and make certain that the proper study has been done and the proper preparation made. Greg Litmer WHAT? Two little girls who were friends, named Jan and Mary, met on the street. Jan said, “Millie told me that you told her that secret I told you not to tell her.” Mary replied: “She’s such a mean thing! I told her not to tell you.” “Well,” said Jan, “I told her I wouldn’t tell you she told me, so don’t tell her I did.” Does that sound familiar? Be careful little
tongue what you say
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