Don’t use Her!

¹Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1

Bard Letsinger just posted how much of an influence teachers can have in someone's life.

Do you remember one who influenced you?

Was it in a positive or negative way?

Are you old enough to remember when the position of "Teacher" garnered respect and honor?

It was especially true in James' day; many were eager to be teachers because this was a place of status, and they were status-seekers.

We are in a series called "Antidote", how we need a substance which can counteract the poisoning which comes from the Lust of the flesh - passion, pleasure; Lust of the eyes - possessions, materialism; and the Pride of life - position, status.

James is trying to confront the "pride of life" head on!

As he is saying this, I can just imagine him replaying this scene in his mind:

¹Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:

    ²The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law are experts in the Law of Moses. ³So obey everything they teach you, but don't do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else.

James confront duplicity so often…be consistent!

    ⁴They pile heavy burdens on people's shoulders and won't lift a finger to help. ⁵Everything they do is just to show off in front of others. They even make a big show of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms, and they wear big tassels for everyone to see. ⁶They love the best seats at banquets and the front seats in the meeting places. ⁷And when they are in the market, they like to have people greet them as their teachers. ⁸But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. ⁹Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. ¹⁰None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. ¹¹Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. ¹²If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.

Jesus loves His bride so much! He won't tolerate a servant, in charge of the Master's treasure, who's is going to use her for their benefit. That is why those who teach, lead, or shepherd will be held to a higher standard, because He loves His bride!

I am honored be one of those servants. Please pray for me and the other servants of FOTH that we will come humbly, with a healthy fear of Him, we will tremble before his Word, and genuinely love people.