Title
Honorable, but Accountable
Scripture
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
(James 3:1)
Devotional
It is one thing to be judged for not receiving instruction, it is quite another to be judged for giving the wrong instruction. It is far safer to receive counsel than to give it. If, however, you are inclined to give counsel and instruction, make sure that you are able to distinguish the difference between counsel and opinion, instruction and assumption. We are instructed in 1 Peter 4:11, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” Giving counsel and teaching requires confidence and understanding, yet, we must not confuse arrogance with confidence nor pride with understanding. Teaching requires patience and humility, faith and hard work. To be a teacher, one must be willing to be a student. I have personally found that for every hour I teach I must study sixteen, and even then there are times that I feel inadequately prepared. Teaching is honorable, but, likewise, accountable.