Jim Deason was born and raised in Jasper, AL. Having done local work in the Southeast, particularly in Tennessee and Alabama, he conducts meetings across the country. He has lived for the past ten years in Cullman, AL., where he serves the South Cullman church as one of the preachers and an elder.

"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment" (James 3:1). If I am honest with myself and others, I have to admit that this is a frightening verse to me. Never intended to discourage anyone from becoming a teacher (cf. Heb. 5:12), this passage stresses the seriousness and accountability of teaching. Teachers of the gospel will be judged, based in part, on what we say or teach (or what we fail to say or teach). This makes the work of teaching serious business, not something to be treated lightly.

Structurally speaking, this warning follows James' encouragement to demonstrate our faith by what we do (James 2:14-26). It is followed by instruction on the use of the tongue (James 2:2-12) and the practical wisdom that is to be used when teaching (James 2:13-18). Sound teaching, then, becomes one way to exercise our faith. Since it involves the use of the tongue, great care must be exercised in what we say and how we say it. An effective teacher uses all of the wisdom he can muster to change the hearts and lives of those who listen to him.

The tongue is a small but very powerful member of the body (James 3:2-5). Like a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder on a ship, it carries more power than its physical size indicates. Solomon said, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Prov. 18:21) and he wasn't wrong. It is true both literally and spiritually. Just a few words from Pilate put Jesus on the cross. Many souls have been lost and many saved through the power of the tongue?

Because of its power the tongue is very dangerous. James uses the mental image of "how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire" (James 3:5). I do not think I can read this passage today without recalling from my childhood the destructive woods fires that occurred around my ancestral home. Often these fires destroyed hundreds of acres of valuable timber. In the same way, loosed-tongue teachers can cause a lot of damage when they speak without knowledge, forethought, or wisdom. The uncontrolled tongue surely is "a restless evil and full of deadly poison" (James 3:8).

The powerful, dangerous tongue reveals who we really are. Let's face it, most of us struggle every day between good and evil, right and wrong. I hope that all of you who read this article have chosen which side of that equation you want to be on, and that most of your choices are the right choices. Still, there is no better measure of who you really are than the words you speak because, "...the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (Matt. 12:34). For good or evil, your conversation is your advertisement. Every time you open your mouth, you let people look into your mind. It is not good for the same mouth to issue both blessing and curses. "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way" (James 3:10).

Remember, again, that these words are set within a context of teaching. What you teach is a powerful force for good or evil. The uncontrolled words of a teacher can cause great harm. Teaching the right thing in the right way can accomplish much good in the cause of truth. Additionally, failing to say what needs to be said, when it needs to be said, will lead to disastrous results. You can lay a foundation of wood, hay, or straw, or you can build upon the only solid foundation which is Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 3:11-12). You decide. As a teacher, your words will reflect who you are, what you believe, your impact on others, and possibly their destiny. Souls are in the balance. I repeat, teaching is serious business.

The wise and understanding man must "show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom" (James 3:13). I know there is an application of these words beyond just teachers and teaching, but to be an effective teacher you must live the gospel, you must be a good example of the principles you are teaching (1 Tim. 4:12).

A righteous teacher's motives should be as pure as the driven snow, because you know that "bitter jealousy and selfish ambition" (James 3:14) will not only destroy you, but it will also destroy those you influence. There are preachers who have sought the acclaim of men, popularity, big churches, and big salaries. Some look upon such as climbing the ladder to success. But, be warned, it may be that once you reach the top, you might realize that your ladder was leaning against the wrong building. Selfish ambition has no place in your heart, or in the pulpit from which you teach. Jealousy destroys and is antithetical to a heart of love (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4). Where these twins, selfish ambition and jealousy, exist, destruction is sure to follow (James 3:16).

Solomon said, "For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her" (Prov. 8:11). And, again, "How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver" (Prov. 16:16). James describes heavenly wisdom as being pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).

I have reflected many times upon my spiritual "heroes," the teachers and preachers who most influenced me and who set my feet on higher ground. They were men who, to the best of my knowledge, were pure men without any hint of hypocrisy. They did more than fill the pulpit, their lives were filled with good fruit, their faith reflected by their works. They were gentle men who loved peace in the congregations where they worked and, for the most part, it was reflected in both spiritual and numerical growth. I would catagorize them as merciful men, especially toward those who fell in a moment of temptation because they were weak. They knew how to strengthen weak souls. But they were also men who stood for the truth without flinching. They were dependable men. They were vocal. You never had to wonder where they stood on any issue. They were not the kind of men who, when a debatable question arose, would slink back into a corner not wanting to let you know what they believed for fear that it would put them in the center of controversy. I continue to have great respect for these men for their faithfulness to God and their investment in me as a young preacher. I am thankful that these men were and are the living embodiment of the principles found in James 3:17-18. They were wise teachers.

Jesus taught His disciples to "lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest" (John 4:35). They still are. He taught His disciples to "beseech the Lord of harvest to send out workers into His harvest" (Matt. 9:38). Those workers are still needed. With time, effort, and maturity, most Christians can and should become teachers (Heb. 5:12), you included. May God bless you to that end.