Many want to be preachers and Bible teachers without realizing how dangerous a job it is. This desire often results from an over-confidence in their abilities and from viewing these positions through rose-tinted spectacles. What they don’t realize is that they are a danger to themselves and to others.

So should you become a preacher or teacher? If so, how can you do this safely. Let’s see what James has to say to us about this in James 3:1-2.

1. TEACHERS SHOULD HESITATE

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers” (1a).

  • Many want to be teachers            
  • Few should become teachers            

Why should I pause? Why so much caution?

2. TEACHERS WILL BE STRICTLY JUDGED

“For you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways” (1b-2a).

  • Teachers will be strictly judged   
  • Teachers will fail frequently

Well, why would anyone become a teacher then?

3. TEACHERS CAN ACCELERATE HOLINESS (2)

“And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (2b).

  • Tongue-control is possible    
  • Tongue-control enables body-control   

Do you see how despite the negative, there’s also a major positive? Becoming a better Bible teacher will make you a holier person.

LIVING THE BIBLE

Consider preaching and teaching cautiously, prayerfully, humbly, and hopefully.

PRAYING THE BIBLE

Perfect Teacher, we confess that sometimes our motives for wanting to become a preacher or teacher of the Bible are sinful. We think too much of our own talents and abilities, and too little of the difficulties and dangers.

Thank you for your Word which checks our desire and reminds us how solemn and serious being a preacher or teacher of the Bible is. We who are teachers are so liable to make mistakes and you will judge us more strictly than others.

But improvements in our preaching and teaching should go hand-in-hand with improvements in our holiness, which we long for. Therefore help us to consider teaching cautiously, prayerfully, humbly, and hopefully.

We praise you, Lord Jesus, because you were the perfect teacher who never stumbled, the perfect man able to bridle your whole body. We embrace your perfection to cover our imperfection and use your perfection to motivate our own. Amen.


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