Perils for our preachers

In our trawl through James’ letter looking at our respectable sins, last time we looked in chapter three at how we use our mouths, and we noted it came after his opening gambit.

In James 3:1 he says: “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

So, why will Bible teachers be judged more strictly? Not because Bible teachers are very important, but because the Bible teacher’s job is very important. Why? Because teachers in the church are entrusted to speak God’s word of truth, so the Lord holds them highly responsible for the way they use their tongues.

Our capability to use the spoken and written word is one of the most significant and powerful ways we as humans reflect God’s image. So, He is not happy when a teacher of His word – any Christian, but particularly a teacher of His word – is uncontrolled and sinful in their speech.

Someone who sets themselves up to be the implanter of God’s word is in big trouble if they actually use words to destroy a fellow believer’s reputation. See James 3:9-10.

And I suppose every Bible teacher worth their weight must ask themselves: “Why do I want to be a teacher? What’s my motive?” In our culture, teachers come pretty low down the professional food chain. And I know, because I am one! “Those who can’t, teach.” If I had a pound for every time I’d heard that I wouldn’t need to teach.

And as for vicars and pastors? Well, in the world they just raise a sad smile, don’t they! It’s a great conversation killer at a party. “So what does your husband do?” “Oh, he’s a Bible teacher…” “Right! Wow! Goodness, my glass is empty…”

But in church it’s a very different picture. Our preachers hold a position of great influence as they impart God’s word of truth. So, James knows that, of all Christian people, the Bible teacher is going to be in danger of being proud. Bible teachers must regularly ask themselves: “Is it that I love the sound of my own voice?” “Is it that I think myself clever?”

James says it’s not about being clever – it’s about being wise, and that’s not the same thing. James 3:13 says: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

The wise teacher will be the one who concentrates on their true humility, not their great reputation. Whose life demonstrates Christlike servitude, not how clever they are.

A teacher will be judged on their words and deeds, not their gifts. Look at 3:14-16: “But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

James talks about bitter envy and selfish ambition in the heart – and boasting about it! It seems an odd thing to say, doesn’t it, because leaders don’t actually openly boast about such things. Even on the world stage we don’t hear campaigners declaring: “I’m standing on the bitter jealousy and selfish ambition ticket.” No, but they will put forward that they are the most knowledgeable, the most experienced; oh, and by the way, the others are all weak and wrong.

It’s the same with church leaders. You would rarely hear a minister claim to be harbouring bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. But you may hear them slating other preachers; or criticising other modes of ministry; or claiming special knowledge of God; or putting themselves up as a super-preacher – the man of God. You may find them firing off vicious emails or Twittering maliciously, often in the name of righteous indignation.

James says “such wisdom” is earthly – not from heaven, but from the prince of this world’s training school. Pride is Satan’s greatest problem, and it’s ours too. We will always be able to spot worldly wisdom in action because it always leads to disorder and evil practices in the church.

So how should our Bible teachers use their words when they aren’t in the pulpit, as well as when they are?

What does the wise teacher sound like? They sound like Jesus. Listen to James 3:17-18: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Let’s be praying that the Lord will fill to overflowing His Bible teachers with this type of heavenly wisdom. Let’s be praying that the contrast between a world leader’s speech and our spiritual leader’s speech couldn’t be more different, rather than vaguely similar.