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)
Expanded Passage: James 3:1
Growing up in church I took part in youth choirs. Though I didn’t have the greatest vocal range, I aspired to sing lead. To me, singing lead meant that your voice was superior to everyone else. It also came with the potential for praise from others. However, I found that when I asked to sing lead, my level of anxiety rose and my vocals became flat. As I grew older, I was able to accept that perhaps being a backing vocalist was more suited to my ability.
There are always roles, such as teaching, that appear more desirable. Yet, James urged the early believers to be careful not to yearn to teach, as it came with great responsibility. Usually, there is a difference between what a position looks like from the outside and what it actually entails. The desire to teach means speaking in accordance with what God says and not speaking one’s opinion.
The caution here is that we will be judged on what comes out of our mouths. For those whose words carry a higher level of authority, their judgment will be greater. Rather than wanting a role based on our childlike or whimsical view, let us seek to serve God within the capacity he has called us to. We ought not to desire a role that we have not been called to.
Seek God concerning the role that he wants you to undertake.
Olivia Isra’el is a wife and mother, and a psychological practitioner. Her love for writing has led her to convey the love of God through text.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
