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I am studying and leading a study on the book of James by Beth Moore. I\u2019ve been surprised. I\u2019ve been taught. I\u2019ve been open to learning new ideas from this small book of the Bible. And I will say, it has been a great study.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n I have read and heard this verse for many years. I\u2019ve been a teacher since I was 16 years old. I began teaching Sunday School with 4th<\/sup> and 5th<\/sup> graders. Then just out of Bible College I began teaching women, along with children and adolescents.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I understand that teaching is not something to take lightly. Not only as I lead women in studying God\u2019s Word, but even as I write this blog, I am teaching.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So this passage is always in the back of my mind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But in this study, I\u2019ve learned more about this verse and I\u2019d like to share some of what Beth Moore has to say about it.[i]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She reminds the teachers who are studying this book that there are \u201ca handful of land mines that go with the territory.\u201d Here are the things she shared:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The temptation to teach more than we know.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The capacity to mislead.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The capacity to be misled.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The temptation to use the platform for personal agendas or opinions.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The demand for self-discipline.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The pride and humiliation.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oh my. Yes there are some \u201cland mines\u201d that go along with teaching. These will lead to disaster.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But Beth Moore doesn\u2019t stop here. She encourages those who feel led to teach to teach. To be honest, there is nothing else a teacher can do except teach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She makes another statement that I am living proof of. \u201cGod often likes to teach the bigger lesson to the teacher.\u201d[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As I prepare to teach or lead or write, I know the extra weight I take upon myself. I know that each sentence I speak or write will be critiqued. I know that what I say must be truth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is why I dig into God\u2019s Word more and more to find those truths. If it isn\u2019t in God\u2019s Word, I will not put it to pen or into words. I\u2019ve had to rethink some of my own beliefs because of this very task.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019ve found that some things that I\u2019ve been taught in the past don\u2019t line up with God\u2019s way of thinking. If it doesn\u2019t line up, it cannot be true.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am also a firm believer that you, as a student or reading, should not take everything I say or write for complete truth. I am human. I make mistakes. I would urge you to evaluate all that is read in my blog. Study it to make certain that my words line up with God\u2019s Word. In doing so, you\u2019ll be growing yourself and gaining new wisdom and insight into Scripture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Are you a teacher? I pray that you have a greater understanding of your role in light of God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you sit under a teacher? I pray that you are not presuming that teacher knows all. Take the time to understand God\u2019s Word for yourself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Regardless of which role you are playing, know that it is God\u2019s desire for you to hold His Scripture close to your heart, to understand what He has to say, and to obey all that God has placed within Scripture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Psalm 119 is filled with verses to give us examples of this truth. Psalm 119:11; Psalm 119: 16; Psalm 119:28; Psalm 119:43; Psalm 119:74; Psalm 119:103; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:114; Psalm 119:130; and Psalm 119:161.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And although my words may not be perfect, God\u2019s Word is flawless. \u201cThe words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.\u201d<\/em> (Psalm 12:6 – NIV) See Psalm 18:30 for further confirmation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Psalm 33:4 (NIV) tells us \u201cFor the Word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.\u201d <\/em>God\u2019s Word will not fail us. He is always right. He is always true. He is always faithful.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today as we study, teach or listen to God\u2019s Words being presented, keep in mind that we each have a responsibility. To know the Bible. I pray that you\u2019ll find great joy, many blessings, and deeper devotion because you are reading and studying God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donna<\/p>\n [i]<\/a> James: Mercy Triumphs, Beth Moore, Lifeway Press, 2011, pages 110-111.<\/p>\n![\"1340158443410\"](\"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/1340158443410.jpg\")
<\/a>Until now. This week we have studied chapter 3. And chapter 3 verse 1 of James is one that most teachers of Scripture know. \u201cNot many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.\u201d<\/em> (James 3:1 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n