"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
James 3:2
Part 1
It is a severe but fantastic opportunity to teach the Word of God to other people. James is clear that there is greater accountability and a more significant judgment for those of us who teach the Word. All believers will face our Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and according to James, those who have handled the Word and have taught others will have more to give an accounting for. As a result, it is a stricter judgment (James 3:1).[1]
“For in many things we offend all.”
The best of Bible teachers is flawed. Every believer still gets tripped up and stumbles occasionally. And when we remember what the Word says about our natural condition, there is no room for boasting.
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” (Proverbs 20:9).
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:10-11).
Even as gloriously saved sinners, we do not walk on water yet. We still must agree with James’s thinking, “for in many things we offend all” and our talk needs help!
“If any man offend not in word.”[2]
A teacher of the Word often speaks and with many words. There are plenty of traps and stumbling points in speaking that may trip up an individual. We all need to be cautious and ensure that our words do not detour from the truth.
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile” (Psalm 34:13).
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (1 Peter 3:10).
Solomon shows us that what we do with our talk is a matter of life and death.
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3).
Without the Lord’s help, we will be complete failures in our speech. How can we be that “perfect man” (or woman) that James mentions? Come back tomorrow, and let’s see.
Quote: “If he have faith, the believer cannot be restrained. He betrays himself. He breaks out. He confesses and teaches this gospel to the people at the risk of life itself”[3] (Martin Luther).
[1] Jesus’ words, “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever, much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him, they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48). These words should give every pastor, Sunday School teacher, Bible school professor, and discipler pause to think. The idea is not to stop teaching, but it is to realize the seriousness of teaching the Word and to take on the responsibility knowledgeably with eyes open.
[2] These words are part of a first-class condition in the ancient language.
[3] Luther’s quote Downloaded: Monday, August 17, 2020. From: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/17-amazing-quotes-power-words/.