Let this verse sink in:
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
In an age of feel-good Christianity that’s the religion of Oprah sprinkled in with some Christianese sounding memes, this goes against the spirit of the present age.
It goes against the spirit of this age in five ways:
First there is judgement.
Second, there is stricter judgment for some.
Third there is a stricter judgment against teachers.
Fourth, not everyone should be teachers.
Fifth, when we say not everyone James actually said “not many of you.”
Now there is a context of James 3:1. That context goes on to talk about self-control, specifically self-control with the tongue.
But as you know when we can’t have self-control over one thing, it’s not as if its contained in one area; the hallmark of the lack of self-control spill over to other areas, like a wild forest fires. Lack of self-control with the tongue is often by lack of self-control in other areas.
So men who want to be preachers and teachers, or who are presently preachers and teachers, ask yourself are you in the trajectory of facing stricter judgment?
Turn to Him who shows grace. Grace not only to forgive, which we can so easily want when we are convicted and which we must appropriate. But also the ordinary means of grace, the discipline of grace that is promised to sinners He saved that He will sanctify them. Start by confessing your sins to God because of this promise:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
The Domain for Truth 
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for reblogging this Vincent
you’re very welcome Pastor Jim!
This was well said.
In my younger years I wasn’t even aware of that verse, and yet I was absolutely terrified of saying anything about faith. Part of that was about being surrounded by non believers, but part of it was simply this crippling fear of misrepresenting Christ. Kind of funny, but God dropped me in the fire once and I had no choice but to suddenly speak up loudly and proclaim His name. Not quite “teaching,” but the terrifying weight of that verse sure spoke to me when I eventually discovered it. I’m not so scared anymore.
Since then I’ve been able to provide some encouragment and support to a couple of guys becoming pastors, to address some of that anxiety, to point them back to grace and mercy. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” but shoot, nobody’s perfect which is why we have Christ in the first place.
Amen! Loved how you pointed back to Christ, oh, how we need Him!
Biblically Anemic Christianity. Love the term. Most apt. Our blood is our life, so God’s Word is our spiritual life. Many Christians just do not want to submit themselves to the Word. Thanks for the challenge to those if us who are preachers, also. It is more difficult to live out the Word than to preach it.
I like what you said especially this: “It is more difficult to live out the Word than to preach it.” How much we need God’s grace for forgiveness of our sins and also for grace in our sanctification!
Too many take this verse too lightly. I believe some actually think God means the other guy but not them. I have been guilty of that attitude myself.
“I believe some actually think God means the other guy but not them.” Boom. We definitely all need that heart search. Oh how we all need God’s grace!
Well, that is certainly a sobering thought if one is a blogger. We teach numerous people each and every day. Thanks for this, brother Jim.
Oh how we need grace!
Praise God. Lots of attacks come on those who teach the Word. Some get arrested. Some get killed. Like Paul and Peter… And even the LORD.
Amen! Haven’t read your blog recently so it was good to see you drop by. Any one particular post I should definitely not miss from you? =)
The most recent one and the one on sthe shape of the Earth I suppose.
ON TIME…ON POINT… HALLELUJAH
I was thinking about the hot mess that is in most pulpits.