The first verse of James 3 contains an interesting statement. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”  Why will teachers receive a stricter judgment? Here is a list of Biblical reasons why teachers of the gospel will be held to a higher standard.

1. Every word that is taught must have Biblical authority for it (I Pet. 4:11).

2. The gospel must be taught even when it is unpopular (II Tim. 4:2).

3. None of the teachings are to be mixed with man-made doctrines (Gal. 1:6-9).

4. Teaching must not be done for anterior (selfish) reasons (Phil. 1:15).

5. There is a risk of confusing the power of the gospel for the effectiveness of the speaker delivering the message (I Cor. 2:1-4).

6. Traditions of men are not to be confused with the gospel of Christ (Matt. 15:7-9).

7. Public teachers have wide influence and need to be careful about what they teach (Acts 18:24-26).

8. Being in such a position can go to a person’s head (Rom. 12:3).

9. One must guard against creating followers of men (I Cor. 1:12-17).

10. Teachers must choose their subjects wisely to avoid wasting time on foolish questions (II Tim. 2:23).

                                                                                               Chuck

Man helps misunderstand

History is filled with men who spread religious confusion but were convinced they were teaching truth. Is religious teaching futile then? Should all religious teachers, including me, simply stop teaching to avoid making things worse? Certainly not! Everyone can know when someone is creating their own doctrinal theories about prophecy (such as relating to our first article). Here are some simple rules.

When leaps are made without scripture

Far too often, people quote an Old Testament passage, associate it with a New Testament verse and claim that the ideas are directly connected to modern events. Recall Peter’s words – people twist the scriptures to their own destruction (II Pet. 3:16).  If a “teacher” is telling you to “trust his interpretation”, especially about passages coming from different testaments, there is an issue. Everybody is capable of understanding the scriptures, and we all know that no scripture is to be of any private interpretation (II Pet. 1:20).

When obscure, difficult passages explain the easy, clear ones

Most Bible verses are plain and direct. Some “teachers” will argue that a verse does not actually mean what it appears to because this verse does not fit with a complex doctrine they teach. This approach is completely backwards! For example, people created a doctrine that the earth will exist forever. They use Psalms 78:69 as evidence. Yet Peter stated that the earth and all its works will be burned up at the end of time (II Pet. 3:9-12). The claim about Psalms 78:69 cannot be reconciled with Peter’s teaching, yet the minds of these people are already made up. Many other things in the Old Testament were described as lasting forever too – animal sacrifices, circumcision, king David, the Passover and the priesthood (Gen. 17:13; Ex. 40:15; Lev. 16:29-34; Ex. 12:14; I Kings 1:31). The word “forever” means “continually; without interruption.” These things lasted “continually” within their context, but they are not eternal as some have decided.

Complex doctrines are not needed if we merely let God’s word speak for itself. Those who seek will find (Matt. 7:7). Let’s make sure we do not put more trust in man than we do in God and His word!

     Chuck