“So You Want to Teach”

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)

There are some who aspire to be teachers (vs1) who are lacking the qualities that would make them successful.  The temptation to be a teacher arises from a false sense of wisdom.  Thus, the unwise may create an atmosphere of dogmatic disputation and wrangling.

Every teacher is tempted by arrogance and bitterness.  They are used to telling rather than listening.  When others oppose his long held beliefs, it is easy to become bitter.  If this attitude is zealously cultivated, one becomes more interested in wining the argument than in the victory of truth.

James says this kind of wisdom is “earthly, sensual, and devilish.”  Here is a wisdom that measures its success in worldly terms, and is attuned to fleshly rather than spiritual things.  Thus, it produces a devilish factious atmosphere.  It causes one to look with superior contempt on others.  Instead of peace and fellowship, it destroys relationships.  This sort of fellow will disrupt any Bible class or business meeting.

By contrast James says: there is “wisdom from above”.  It is not a product of this world, but is heavenly.  James (vs. 17) marks out seven qualities of this heavenly wisdom: 1) “pure” – i.e. morally chaste, 2) “peaceable” – i.e. not disposed to a fight, 3) “gentle” – one who knows how to forgive, when strict justice would give the right to condemn, 4) “willing to yield” – i.e. willing to listen and consider another’s point of view, 5) “full of mercy” – of pity for one who is in trouble, even if it is his own fault, 6) “without partiality” – one who will not change on a whim, but steadfast in conviction, 7) “without hypocrisy” – not pretentious, but honest.  These are the qualities of one qualified to teach.

Who is truly wise and understanding?  It is one whose life is characterized by good works coupled with a gentle spirit.  James says: Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:18)  Peace means a right relationship between man and man and an uninterrupted fellowship.  Only those who can sow the seeds will reap the rewards.  A church full of bitterness and strife has a barren soil in which righteousness will never grow.  However, a wise man will try to promote a more productive atmosphere.

By George Slover

 

Share