Not Many Teachers

Today’s reading is James 3.

James says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers.” The author of Hebrews said, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you…” So which is it? Should we all be teachers or should not many of us be teachers?

Perhaps we gain clarifying insight in James 3:13-14. If not many should be teachers, who should? Wouldn’t it be those who are wise and understanding? Who then is wise enough and understanding enough to be one of the few, the humble, the teachers? Not those who are prompted by jealousy and selfish ambition. Rather, those who by their good conduct show their works in the meekness of wisdom. Recognize those who have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their hearts, are false to the truth when they boast. Did you catch the connections to previous statements in this letter? Those who don’t bridle their tongues deceive their hearts (James 1:26). The unbridled tongue boasts of great things (James 3:5). Teachers who do so from selfish ambition boast, deceive, and generally pursue and promote a worthless religion.

Having now seen where James is going to end up, we can more fully grasp the warning in this first verse. James doesn’t say not many should ever teach, but not many should “become teachers.” We all teach even if only by example (see Colossians 3:16). But not all have a role or work as a teacher (see Acts 13:1; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 1:6-7). Some, competing for greater honor, desire to have the role of teacher. These need to recognize they aren’t signing up for greater honor; they are signing up for greater judgment.

The danger is, of course, we all stumble in what we say. James has already said of all disciples, if we don’t bridle our tongues, we are deceiving our hearts and pursuing worthless religion. Much more so as teachers. If teachers don’t bridle their tongues, they are doubly in trouble. They are pursuing worthless religion and promoting it to others. But what a charge and warning. Think about it. How hard is it to bridle your tongue when your role is to speak? That sounds really hard.

I find it interesting as James goes on to discuss the sins of the tongue for teachers, he actually doesn’t highlight teaching error. He highlights cursing, judging, grumbling, quarreling, speaking evil of our brothers. Certainly every teacher and everyone who teaches must fear lest we teach error, but perhaps there are some other sins of the tongue of greater concern to which teachers are susceptible.

Not many of us should be teachers because it takes work and maturity to be a teacher. But all of us should be teachers because all Christians should grow and work at maturity.

Tomorrow’s reading is James 3.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. What sins of the tongue must teachers be most concerned about?
3. How can a teacher balance the need to bridle the tongue when the teacher’s role is to speak?
4. What must we work on and grow in so we can teach?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

Beware the Yeast of These

Today’s reading is Luke 12.

Jesus warns against the yeast of the Pharisees. Exposure to their hypocrisy is subtly influential. A Pharisaic influence even suckered Peter and Barnabas in Galatians 2:11-13. We’ve often heard about the leaven of the Pharisees. However, I can’t help but think about this concept of leaven or yeast as influence in general. This leavening effect is not exclusive to the Pharisees. After all, in Matthew 16:6, 11, 12 it was also applied to the Sadducees. In other words, we need to beware who and what are influencing us. Whether we are considering false teachers, secular worldviews, ungodly outlooks, immoral examples, political strivings, cultural consensus, or any other person or perspective that runs counter to Christ, we must beware. Clearly, we can’t leave the world. We will always be surrounded by ideas, behaviors, worldviews, perspectives, and outlooks that oppose Jesus. We can’t isolate ourselves from or shut ourselves off to all the people around us. In fact, we don’t want to. How can we be the influence we are supposed to be if we do? However, we need to beware. The influence of the world is subtle. Like yeast that spreads imperceptibly through an entire lump of dough without even really knowing that it is happening, sin and sinfulness can alter our perception and perspective until what we consider faithfulness to Jesus Christ doesn’t look anything like Jesus at all. In fact, perhaps we should take a long hard look even today to make sure we are becoming like the Lord and not like a cultural caricature of Him. Beware the yeast. It is all around us.

Tomorrow’s reading is Luke 12.

Only One Thing is Necessary

Today’s reading is Luke 10.

I’m a Martha. I get worried and bothered about everything, even the smallest details. It destroys my peace and joy. It disrupts my relationships. It is detrimental to my spirit. I constantly need to be reminded that only one thing is necessary. There is only thing I can take with me out of this life. Everything else will be taken from me. Everything else is going to burn up in the end. Most everything else will fall into ruin before the end even gets here. In fact, very few things that give me such angst today will even matter next week. But one thing is necessary. Today I want to focus on that one thing: my relationship with Jesus. How is yours today?

Next week’s reading is Luke 11.

Thank God for the Pruning Shears

Today’s reading is John 15.

When a branch in Jesus’s vine bears fruit, you know what God does? Leave it alone? Pat it and pet it and whisper wonderful words to it? Just give it more water? Nope. He prunes it. He gets out some shears and cuts off the bits that are distracting the nutrients from what is actually bearing fruit. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t exactly sound pleasant to me. However, in the end, it actually produces more and better fruit. Being a disciple is not always easy. Sometimes it does feel like being stricken and cut on. However, those pruning shears are part of the Spirit’s way of producing His fruit in us, getting it to grow more fully. Don’t be discouraged, rather thank God for the pruning shears.

Monday’s reading is John 16.