James 3:1 (Amplified Version) states: "Not many (of you-the Church) should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reproves of others), my brethren, for you know that we (teachers) will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity (than other people, thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation.)
Wow, that is a mouth full, however, I wanted to break that verse down because I think that this verse is grossly over looked by many folks who preach/teach the bible. In the Old Testament it amazes me the standard that the people of God had to live by, especially the prophet's. Can you imagine that God having the Jewish people kill any prophet who spoke falsely? That is right ladies and gentleman, God took His words seriously and wanted them spoken with the utmost respect and accuracy, yet today how many teachers and prophets do we have running around that have diarrhea of the mouth?
I mean, folks are lining up ready to teach someone the "TRUE WORD OF GOD" because they have a degree, or they been studying for the past couple of days. Don't get me wrong sharing what you have learned is not considered teaching or giving instruction, but rather it is the applications put into practice. The person who needs to worry is the one who opened their mouth to teach others about application and implications about whatever subject they were teaching on out of the bible.
Let's not forget the prophet too because they play a major role in this. So many prophets are quick to say, "Hey I got a word from God for you and you need to apply this to you life?" Now tell me you have not heard that line before? There are so many people claiming to be prophets but what if God held them to their word and if they did not deliver it correctly or twisted it? What if God just killed them on the spot? I mean, who would want to prophesy then? Exactly, you get my point, no one! Unless God appointed them to carry that mantle.
So how does this all apply to the verse listed above? Easy, if you want to teach think about two things! You need to think about the one you represent and the ones that you will teach. God will hold every teacher and so-called teacher to the highest level of standards, and if they falsely teach something contrary to God's standards and teach others to do the same. Well according to Jesus, it would be better for you tie a huge rock around your neck and throw yourself to the bottom of the sea than lead one of God's children astray from Him and His standards (or truths).
And what about those prophets? Well the same thing should apply to you too. How dare you prophesy something that God never did say, or if He did say it take it out of context. So you want to be a prophet? Then speak the truth that is already prescribed to us believers in the bible, unless God Himself gives you a specific word for somebody and it better be accurate because God doesn't miss.
SAM
Wow, that is a mouth full, however, I wanted to break that verse down because I think that this verse is grossly over looked by many folks who preach/teach the bible. In the Old Testament it amazes me the standard that the people of God had to live by, especially the prophet's. Can you imagine that God having the Jewish people kill any prophet who spoke falsely? That is right ladies and gentleman, God took His words seriously and wanted them spoken with the utmost respect and accuracy, yet today how many teachers and prophets do we have running around that have diarrhea of the mouth?
I mean, folks are lining up ready to teach someone the "TRUE WORD OF GOD" because they have a degree, or they been studying for the past couple of days. Don't get me wrong sharing what you have learned is not considered teaching or giving instruction, but rather it is the applications put into practice. The person who needs to worry is the one who opened their mouth to teach others about application and implications about whatever subject they were teaching on out of the bible.
Let's not forget the prophet too because they play a major role in this. So many prophets are quick to say, "Hey I got a word from God for you and you need to apply this to you life?" Now tell me you have not heard that line before? There are so many people claiming to be prophets but what if God held them to their word and if they did not deliver it correctly or twisted it? What if God just killed them on the spot? I mean, who would want to prophesy then? Exactly, you get my point, no one! Unless God appointed them to carry that mantle.
So how does this all apply to the verse listed above? Easy, if you want to teach think about two things! You need to think about the one you represent and the ones that you will teach. God will hold every teacher and so-called teacher to the highest level of standards, and if they falsely teach something contrary to God's standards and teach others to do the same. Well according to Jesus, it would be better for you tie a huge rock around your neck and throw yourself to the bottom of the sea than lead one of God's children astray from Him and His standards (or truths).
And what about those prophets? Well the same thing should apply to you too. How dare you prophesy something that God never did say, or if He did say it take it out of context. So you want to be a prophet? Then speak the truth that is already prescribed to us believers in the bible, unless God Himself gives you a specific word for somebody and it better be accurate because God doesn't miss.
SAM
