Read the Other Articles in this Series
The Power of Our Words
James 3 and Our Words
In this new series, we’re exploring the power of our words. In James 3:1-12, James gives us several graphic examples of the evil we can do with our tongues and he exhorts Christians to speak righteously.
Let’s look at the first verse of this passage to help us understand the gravity of our words.
Let Not Many of You Become Teachers
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1)
James is going to delve into the topic of our words by first talking about teachers. He starts this passage with a very sober warning. When speaking to his “brothers”—those who are believers in Christ, he says, Not many of you should become teachers.
Now, he’s not talking about general teaching. He’s not saying, “Let not many of you become preschool teachers” or “Let not many of you become piano teachers.” He’s talking about teaching the Bible.
The word he uses for “teacher” was used of rabbis or anyone in an official teaching role.
In James’ day, righteous men who were part of a synagogue could speak up during the service. (For example, Jesus and Paul would speak in synagogues where they were not officially recognized as rabbis.)
In our day, we have people who are not pastors teaching Sunday school, Bible study, etc. Overall, teaching God’s Word is a great thing.
However, some may want to teach for the wrong reasons. There are some who may be interested in teaching because of pride or prestige. They want to be viewed as knowledgeable and to be looked up to by people. Some may get into it for financial reasons—like those preaching the prosperity gospel who have private jets. All throughout the New Testament, we see examples of false teachers teaching heresy or error.
Teachers who are unqualified, not gifted, or are pursuing a teaching role for the wrong reasons can cause great damage in the church. They can distort the truth of God’s word and also bring dishonor to Christ through hypocrisy.
We Will Give Account for Every Word We Speak
Based on Scripture, we know that, in general, we will all have to give account to our words. Our words reveal a core part of who we are on the inside. Scripture is very clear that our words come directly from our hearts:
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
You can think of your words like the water coming out of a glass that is overflowing. What you say is pouring directly out of your heart.
Additionally, Jesus tells us that we will give account for every word we speak:
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matt 12:36-37)
So, our words have gravity because God is tracking every single word we’ve ever spoken and they will one day be evaluated.
Unbelievers will be punished in Hell for all eternity for every single sinful word that has come out of their mouths.
For believers, any sinful words that have crossed our lips have been dealt with on the cross of Christ. He never once said anything that was sinful. He perfectly honored God with His speech every minute of every day of his life. Yet, He was punished for every lie you’ve ever told. Every profane or crude word that you’ve ever uttered. Every harsh outburst of anger that you’ve directed at your spouse or your kids. He bore God’s wrath for that sin. By the grace of God, we will not be condemned for our words. We are forgiven. However, that doesn’t give us a free pass to say whatever we want.
As believers, we should want to honor our Heavenly Father in how we speak.
We should have the same attitude as David in Psalm 39:1:
I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
Our Words Have Gravity
There is gravity to everything we say. And, for teachers of the word, James says “that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” That is why he is saying that not many should be teachers. Teachers will face a higher bar of judgment due to the great responsibility of handling God’s Word.
James is not trying to dissuade those who are qualified and gifted and have a pure desire to teach the word. However, he does want them to test themselves and their motives.
God will hold teachers accountable to what they taught. For believers, that may mean chastening in this life and also a stricter judgment of eternal rewards.
Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians:
each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Cor 3:15-16)
So, the believing teacher may gain or lose eternal rewards based on his word.
That’s why Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
So, our words in general have gravity and particularly when we are handling the Word of God.
Ok. So what’s the problem? Just don’t ever say anything wrong. Easy right? Not quite. In our next article, we will explore the difficulty of controlling our words.
