let not many of you become teachers

Talk, talk, talk. Talk shows . . . Talking heads . . . You Tube channels . . . Podcasts . . . yes, even Blogs! Lots of advice and lots of instruction . . . .

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.  Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. (James 3:1-12)

Teachers be warned! Yet not simply those in the classroom, but parents, mentors, coaches, ministry leaders, pastors, those in leadership positions, be warned as well. In fact, anyone with influence, we all have some sort of teaching influence, be warned! What comes out of our mouths can destroy an entire forest or build up whole communities!

Young people, or anyone in a student capacity, cling to the words of those they look up to and respect. James reminds us that we are held to a stricter judgment. Scary thought . . . . .

It would behoove us to remember and practice more of James' instruction:

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath . . . (James 1:19)

We could all do a bit less talking and more listening . . . to the Lord and to our children (students).