JAMES 3:1 THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE TEACHING POSITION

James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Let Not Many Of You Become Teachers or the Test of The Tongue

This is a time where "verbal abuse" is epidemic, and where "self-proclaimed teachers" teach all sorts of wrong things and claim to be an expert. The Tongue can encourage, discourage, gossip, flatter, curse

Moses spoke rashly with his lips Psalms 106:32-33, Isaiah said he was a man of unclean lips in Isaiah 6:5, Job in 40:4 Behold I am vile, what shall I answer you. I lay my hand over my mouth, Mt 26:33 Peter, I will never be made to stumble, before he denied Christ

If you can control your tongue you should be able to control the rest of your body

4 other times in James he talks about the tongue: 1:19, 26, 2:12, 4:11, and 5:12

1. THE "WARNING" v1-2

   V1 "LET NOT MANY OF YOU BECOME TEACHERS"

1. James doesn’t say, "Let not many BE teachers", But rather, "Let not many of you BECOME teachers"
2. This passage is not talking only of those who try to BE teachers before they are ready, but a warning that many should not even BECOME teachers in the future!
3. Not EVERYONE should become a teacher at some point in their service to Christ!
4. Paul illustrated time and again that the body of Christ has many members, and not all members have the same function or spiritual gift

         1) To the saints at Rome - Ro 12:3-8

         2) To the church at Corinth - 1Co 12:12-31

1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

1. Peter taught that that we should use our spiritual gifts to the fullest

1Pe 4:10-11 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Every believer is to teach, but not all are gifted to be in the office of teacher/preacher

He 5:12-14 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

WHY MANY SHOULD NOT BECOME TEACHERS -Always telling others what to do. I’m in charge

1. Teachers shall receive "a stricter judgment" Mt 25:21 "His lord said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
2. There is great responsibility involved in teaching others, lead to truth or lead them to error
3. Just as with elders those who teach will be held accountable if they mislead others!

He 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.