“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”
knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment
Teachers will face “stricter judgment” in their present life on earth by divine discipline because God holds them to a higher standard for what they teach than the standard to which He holds those who do not teach.
Acts 20:27-31, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”
Note that James includes himself in the word “we.” God holds apostles and leaders to this high standard as well.
2 Ti. 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
1 Ti. 4:6-7, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.”
PRINCIPLE:
Unauthorized teachers of God’s Word set themselves up for double discipline.
APPLICATION:
In our day, the cell group has become a phenomenon. Every breed of cat now is an authority on God’s Word. Some cell leaders set themselves up as authorities and do not take due note of the authority of their pastors. They come to know a little truth and think that they know the entirety of truth (and the more is the pity). We live in a day that denigrates recognized authority and carries this to the point of imbecility.
Rebellion against authority is an extension of liberal thinking that pervades North America. This attitude is a narcissistic idea that the ultimate authority resides in the individual regardless of what he knows. People place themselves and personal opinion above the pastor who carefully studies God’s Word. No doubt, this autonomy titillates their personal pride.
When a person takes on the role of teacher, he takes on great responsibility. He also takes on the double discipline of a teacher. It is not God’s design that every person is a teacher.
The church stands in dire need of systematic teaching from God’s Word by gifted pastors/teachers. We cannot build up believers in the faith without this. There can be no edification without it. God will send double discipline upon these self-appointed teachers.
Lu 12:48, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”
