Surviving While Scattered– The Responsibility of Teaching (James 3:1-2)
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As I grow in my walk with God, I often reflect on things I’ve said—even from the pulpit—that I now regret teaching. I’m saddened that I once believed certain things that I now understand were wrong. But I’m also thankful that God has been merciful to me because teachers are held to a high standard in God’s Word.
James 3:1
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Verse 1 reminds us that those who take on the role of teaching God’s Word must be aware that He is watching and will judge them more strictly than those who do not teach. This truth should drive us to prepare our messages with deep study, prayer, and a heart that seeks God. However, any Christian will find themselves, at times, in a position to teach others about God’s Word. Even if someone isn’t a pastor, author, or public speaker, we all have a responsibility to ensure that the teachings we share—especially when spoken in God’s name—are truthful and accurate.
Matthew 23:1-13
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
Here Jesus addresses certain teachers, exposing their hypocrisy. In verse 13, He makes it clear that these teachers are unsaved hypocrites. They cannot guide others to heaven because they themselves don’t know the way. Their entire approach to preaching, and God in general, is wrong.
As Christians, we will all find ourselves in situations where we have an opportunity to teach. If you are a believer, it doesn’t matter if you are a pastor, police officer, postal worker, or preschool teacher—we all have a responsibility to point others to Jesus. This reality should keep us sober-minded and humble as we consider Jesus’ judgment of the Pharisees in Matthew 23.
James 3:2
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Verse 2 reminds us that even teachers are not perfect. So, what separates us from the hypocrites Jesus rebukes? The answer lies in our entire approach to teaching. We must recognize that God holds us accountable for what we say and the attitude with which we say it.
False teachers see themselves as authorities, preaching from a place of superiority. Their approach is: Jesus > themselves > others.
But the true hierarchy should be: Jesus > everyone.
Teaching is not about personal exaltation. If we look down on others, judge them harshly, or pretend to have everything figured out, God may quickly humble us. Since He sees our hearts and judges teachers more strictly, let’s ensure that we teach with honesty, humility, and a genuine love for others.
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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English
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