Teaching Is Dangerous
Are you making disciples because you want to or because you think you have to? Maybe your decision to be a disciple maker has been reluctant. Perhaps the only reason you are still working through this material is because Jesus commands you to make disciples, and you donʼt want to be disobedient. Youʼre not sure if you have much to offer, but you know you should let God use you however He desires.
Or maybe youʼve always seen yourself as a leader. You have a message that the church needs to hear, and youʼre ready to teach anyone who will listen. You donʼt need motivation; you just want to be better equipped.
For those reluctant, remember that God wants you to minister out of joy, not just mere obligation. God wants us to enjoy the privilege and pleasure of ministering to others. He wants us to be cheerful when we give (2 Cor. 9:7), and He wants us to lead others willingly and eagerly:
Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly. (1 Pet. 5:2)
For those who are eager to lead, remember that God wants us to be cautious as we lead. Remember that you will be teaching people about the Bible and guiding them into godly living. The Bible takes the role of a teacher very seriously, and so should we.
James gives us a terrifying warning about the power of the tongue. While we can speak truth and bring life to people, he warns that our words can also cause incredible damage. The tongue is untamable, James says, capable of diverting the direction of our lives, producing deadly poison, and “setting on fire the entire course of life.” Indeed, James even accuses the tongue of being set on fire by hell!
If you look at your heart and find even a trace of desire for the glory and prestige that comes through teaching other people, take some time to let Jamesʼ warning sink in. Think about what your tongue is capable of. As a disciple maker, you could make a huge impact for the
kingdom of God. Or you could lead people horribly astray.
2. Read James 3:1-12 and meditate on Jamesʼ warning. How do these powerful words affect you? How might you need to adjust your approach to making disciples?
James is powerful words! The tongue is a powerful weapon. I think we've all been hurt by words before and on the flip side we've been encouraged and built up by words.
ReplyDeleteI can speak out of emotion sometimes and say things that I don't really mean. I say things sometimes to disciples cause I want them to do somethings, I think it's bests, but I forget to ask God what He thinks. I end up boxing God in and forget that He's so much bigger!