A Caution to Teachers

Mathew 23:1-7

As one who has taught, I’ve paid close attention to the gospel of James chapter 3:1, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”  James goes on to remind us that we all stumble in many ways, and if someone does not stumble they are a perfect person.  Let this writer make a confession, I’ve stumbled more than most.

So as one who desires to teach, what should I guard against?  First and foremost, my fleshly patterns that I had when I arrived on planet earth, and what is flesh, those are questions a teacher must understand?  Flesh is nothing more than getting your needs met outside of the will of God by your own abilities.  My friends Bill and Anabel Gillham, taught me how my flesh got programmed, and my friend, Carroll Ray Jr. taught me that a person could reprogram their flesh by walking in the Spirit. 

This writer’s flesh was programmed to want to be first, to be noticed, and to talk often even when I am not sure of the facts.  With that information, as a teacher I had to learn to humble myself before those in the class and let them know the teacher was giving information that he had not experienced and did not understand, but believed by faith.  I still enjoy being first, being noticed, and I battle on a daily basis to make this flesh put others first.

As we examine Matthew 23:1-7, we should remember that the Pharisees and the Scribes were the big dogs when it came to the local community, and especially the religious part.  They were the teacher so look at what advice Jesus is giving us, and remember it’s true for each of us at this moment.  “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.”

As one who teaches we should never put heavy burdens on those we teach, do you live out what you are teaching, and if not are you honest with both those who sit under your teaching and with God that you are falling short of the goal?  What is your goal in teaching, to be seen by others as something special, or to be a light to guide those seeking to walk in fellowship with our Lord?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice