Attitudes Also Teach

“Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive
heavier judgment” (Jas. 3:1).

Surely, we know James is not discouraging teaching, but seeks to impress us
with the serious responsibilities of teaching. A careless remark, misuse of
scripture or the like, uttered in private conversation, may have a devastating
result when repeated, multiplied, and applied in a way you may never have
dreamed. How much more when the teaching is done from the pulpit, or
written, to be embalmed for generations unborn.

Yes, we can take ourselves too seriously — imagine we have influence totally
unreal; but better this than irresponsible scattering of tares.

Yet, teaching must be done; and as none of us are infallible but are subject to
err in teaching, a second safeguard must be employed. We must develop an
attitude toward our work that promotes humility rather than “editorial
arrogance”; that permits speaking or writing with conviction without feeling
that all who differ with us are Satanic ogres, bent on corrupting the
brotherhood. If our motives are right, we can teach truth and correct error
without leaving the impression we think we are savior of the church.

If we truly love souls, and our purposes to lead people out of darkness into
light, all the more reason to cultivate their confidence and impress them with
our fairness and good will. We defeat these noble purposes when we pounce
upon every conceived missed word or wrong judgment as grist for our mill. A
teacher assists hearers and readers to know and understand more perfectly
and encourages them to live a better life. Reproof and rebukes are made with
a heavy heart, not as haughty ego trips.

So, there are two requirements of the godly teacher. The content of his
teaching must be pure a right; but he must also do his job in the right way, with
the right spirit. Our text seems pointed more toward the latter. Bitter envy and
strife must give way to wisdom from above — that is pure, peaceable, gentle,
etc. (Jas. 3:17-f).
Robert F. Turner