1Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring. James 3:1-12 (NLT)
This passage is most often preached from the paradigm of being able to control what we say; but if we take into account the opening statement, verse 1, we see that the lesson to be learned flows through the paradigm of what we teach. In case you are not aware, we are teaching all the time. This is reality that few of us recognize, or take seriously – but that does not make it any less a reality. Scripture recognizes the power and authority that is placed when a person is designated a “teacher,” and or claims themselves to be a “teacher” – especially a teacher of God’s Word! What we know is that it is powerful enough to understand that “teaching” is an unintended consequence of our behavior and that is a big enough responsibility that not enough people recognize; let alone when we are viewed, or view ourselves as a teacher and set about intentionally teaching others.
And what do we teach others? Among other things, we are teaching what we believe, in whom we believe, and how that translates to the lives that we lead. All of this is most evident in the words that come out of our mouths. It’s a “fruit of the Spirit” kind of thing. We are taught in James that if we behave immorally and/or treat people poorly, it reflects the fact that, provided we are saved in the first place, we are intentionally ignoring Holy Spirit who has filled us. Holy Spirit is God and God is Love and Love does not boast; is not proud; holds no account of wrongs; and forgives always. Our behavior should look more like that.
Yes we are discerning. Yes we measure our responses and choose our behaviors and NO, we do not have to open ourselves to pain, corruption and abuse from a sick world; but our responses to these influences should not be from a “fire with fire” or “eye for an eye” perspective. Get on your knees…open your heart…and listen - then submit, to God’s response. What happens next will astound you.
This passage is most often preached from the paradigm of being able to control what we say; but if we take into account the opening statement, verse 1, we see that the lesson to be learned flows through the paradigm of what we teach. In case you are not aware, we are teaching all the time. This is reality that few of us recognize, or take seriously – but that does not make it any less a reality. Scripture recognizes the power and authority that is placed when a person is designated a “teacher,” and or claims themselves to be a “teacher” – especially a teacher of God’s Word! What we know is that it is powerful enough to understand that “teaching” is an unintended consequence of our behavior and that is a big enough responsibility that not enough people recognize; let alone when we are viewed, or view ourselves as a teacher and set about intentionally teaching others.
And what do we teach others? Among other things, we are teaching what we believe, in whom we believe, and how that translates to the lives that we lead. All of this is most evident in the words that come out of our mouths. It’s a “fruit of the Spirit” kind of thing. We are taught in James that if we behave immorally and/or treat people poorly, it reflects the fact that, provided we are saved in the first place, we are intentionally ignoring Holy Spirit who has filled us. Holy Spirit is God and God is Love and Love does not boast; is not proud; holds no account of wrongs; and forgives always. Our behavior should look more like that.
Yes we are discerning. Yes we measure our responses and choose our behaviors and NO, we do not have to open ourselves to pain, corruption and abuse from a sick world; but our responses to these influences should not be from a “fire with fire” or “eye for an eye” perspective. Get on your knees…open your heart…and listen - then submit, to God’s response. What happens next will astound you.
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