My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing
that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble on
many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a
perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:1-2)
James wrote about the proof of a living faith, the kind of faith that
saves us for eternity and does us some good in this life. Making our
way into chapter 3, we see that James focused on one aspect of a
living faith: it would affect the way we talk.
He begins with, "Let not many of you become teachers." James
had a sober warning for those who would become teachers in the
church. They must take the responsibility seriously because their
accountability is greater and they shall receive a stricter
judgment.
It is easy to take the position of teacher lightly in the church, without
considering its cost in terms of accountability. Jesus warned "To
whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom
much have been committed, of him they will ask the more." (Luke
12:48)
The words of Jesus and James remind us that being among the
teachers in God's church is more than a matter of having natural or
even spiritual gifts; there is an additional dimension of appropriate
character and right living. Therefore, teachers were both tested
more and would be judged more strictly.
Then James explained another reason why it was so important for
teachers to take this seriously. He reminds us, "For we all stumble
in many things." The greater accountability of teachers is
especially sobering in light of our common weaknesses. After all,
"we all stumble in many things." The ancient Greek word
translated stumble does not imply a fatal fall, but something that
trips us up and hinders our spiritual progress.
Notice that James wrote, "We" and not "They." "We all stumble"
means that James included himself among those who could
stumble. Yet he did not excuse his or our stumbling. We know that
we all stumble, but we should all press on to a better walk with the
Lord, marked by less stumbling.
Then James provided a way to measure spiritual maturity for
teachers and for all Christians: "If anyone does not stumble in
word, he is a perfect man." We stumble in word about ourselves,
with our boasting, exaggeration, and selective reporting. We
stumble in word about others, with our criticism, gossip, slander,
cruelty, two-facades, and anger; or with flattery and insincere
words meant to gain favor.
To "not stumble in word" shows true spiritual maturity. This is
especially relevant to teachers, who have so much more
opportunity to sin with their tongue.
We could say it strongly to any teacher: Watch what you say. Your
words are important. That is something we all need to hear, as
James will explain in the coming section. Yet it is especially
important for teachers to hear this; by their words, they can help or
hurt others for now and eternity.
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