Teachers-judged more strictly

 13 Dec 25

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion

Teachers-judged more strictly

Teaching was a highly valued and respected profession in Jewish culture, and many Jews who embraced Christianity wanted to become teachers. James warned that although it is good to aspire to teach, the teachers' responsibility is great because their words and example affect others' spiritual lives. If you are in a teaching or leadership role, how are you affecting those you lead?

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”James‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

—————-

Reflections

I think teaching is a great vocation. But to be able to teach well, helping others understand complex equations, having the passion in the subject matter and encouraging others to also love what they teach, requires God’s gift. Any one of us can teach but it takes a lot more to be a good teacher. Have you taught any one anything? How would you know if you have been a good teacher?

I think good teachers have no lack of affirmation. You will have people come up to you and thanking you, etc. The not so good ones usually will not receive much and sometimes not because they are not good teachers but they are dealing with difficult students. If God has somehow placed you in a place to teach, then teach. Because not everyone is called to teach. As shared by the bible verse today, the one who teaches will be judged more strictly. This is even more so in the church or biblical context, because they risk leading people astray.

Side track a bit, I felt as a teacher / leader, one also needs to be really careful where the glory goes. If a student worships the teacher because the teacher is just so great, something is wrong here. Nobody should take over God’s place in their lives.

The teacher / leader is being held accountable and responsible for the growth of their people. They became the shepherds of their flock and obviously how the sheep is doing reflects on how well the shepherd takes care of them. I also come to realise I don't take very well with people who either raise their voice at me or expressed irritation with me. But this doesn't happen with everyone as well. This group in particular, I felt, cannot understand me.

Reflecting back on my own leadership, I felt I have been rather soft in my approach, not firm and allow a lot of autonomy. I’m not sure if this is the best way forward for I come to understand that there are a lot of people who can only work under a standard set of rules and not free play. Like people seemed lost where all I do is just point them to the direction and leave it to them to decide the manner they want to go. It felt like they prefer more structure whereas I am more laissez-faire, preferring to step in only when needed. I guess no man is the same and some may enjoy freedom whereas others may go crazy. Perhaps in my own management of things, I never really like hard handling so I very much prefer to be softer in my approach and in turn also much prefer this kind of leadership. One that empowers, but don't micromanage or come down hard on people.

To me, the ultimate aim would be this. If we were to teach, teach only what is right. Do also only what is right. We will be example they ought to follow and it would not be wrong in the eyes of God. If somehow, our students / disciples follows us and all ends up going wayward, perhaps it is also time we reflect upon our own teachings. The fruits will show.