A STRICTER JUDGMENT

I confess that as a teacher of God's Word for nearly 40 years, I find this verse to be a bit unnerving ... 

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

A 'stricter judgment' means that there will be varying degrees of reckoning when we stand before the Lord of Glory one day. 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what we have done whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

The idea that this is the subject of today's devotional seems to double back on itself. I am held accountable for how I teach about a teacher's accountability. 

Okay ... 

If a teacher uses his position to draw attention to himself, his efforts will be judged accordingly and they will likely lay at his feet having little to no worth. But if that teacher is motivated by a sincere love for God and desires to bring all glory to Jesus Christ alone; if he prayerfully pores over each word in fear of misleading his audience; if he seeks only to edify and encourage the hearer to surrender his life to the Lord ... his judgment will be favorable. 

James is not saying that people should not become teachers, but he discourages those who are not qualified (or gifted) to rush into it. Any ministry must not be entered into lightly or without considering its seriousness in the eyes of God. 

There exists a heavier judgment upon the teacher (or the preacher) because of his displayed 'semblance' of spiritual insight ... I sometimes shudder at the thought.