Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Dangers of Being a Teacher

This next verse makes me sit up and take notice. "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement" (James 3:3).

Whether we are a teacher of five or a teacher of thousands, we will receive a stricter judgement. Does this mean teachers should be held to a higher standard of behavior and students are excused? Does this mean God does not expect those who are hearers and not teachers to be less committed to following God's word? Does it mean if you feel called to teach that you should avoid the opportunity in order to avoid judgement?

No.

It does mean when we teach, we need to make sure what we are teaching is an accurate dividing of God's word. If we say God said, or God says, and he did not, we will be, misrepresenting God and leading people away from God. For that, we will have to answer to God. (Ps 50:16; Jeremiah 14:14-16, 23:32; 2 Corinthians 12:12-15; 2 Peter 2:1-2)