Perhaps unfit teachers were a major cause of the bitter partisan spirit, quarreling, and unkind, critical speech that seemed to characterize the community. It is possible too many were seeking the status of teacher without the necessary moral qualifications. Teachers were prominent in the life of the early church from the beginning. James introduces the issue by warning people who want to be teachers about the peculiar difficulty of controlling the tongue. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. Matthew 15:19 Teachers, Be Careful with the Tongue ![]() For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. The tongue only produces what it is told to produce by the heart, where sin originates. James personifies the tongue and mouth as representatives of the depravity & wretchedness of the inner person. The tongue has no built in restraints or boundaries. The misuse of the tongue is perhaps the easiest way to sin. It is a tattletale that tells on the heart and discloses the real person. ![]() Tongue Control Reveals A Transformed Heart He highlights that teachers especially should not use the tongue in a destructive way and that true wisdom is humble and peaceable. James’ concern seems to be the violent quarrels that were shaking the community. He points out that wisdom from above or below will directly affect our speech. James warns about the considerable and potentially destructive power of human speech.
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