Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 39:1‐40:27, James 2:18‐3:18, Psalm 118:1‐18, Proverbs 28:2

Context:  Immediately following the discussion on faith and works, James begins to talk about the importance of taming the tongue.

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.”

Observations:

• Not many of you (brothers) should become teachers
  • For you know that he who teaches will be judged with greater strictness

This verse scares me.  I am aware that God hold’s teachers to a higher standard.  Feeling God’s clear lead into a ministry that will involve more teaching has not been without a healthy fear of what God requires.

Apply: I have to be careful to bridal my tongue.  My words must be true to God’s Word and the mystery of the gospel. 

How do you balance these words with the author of Hebrews telling us that we “ought to be teachers” (Hebrews 5:12)?