Lesson 8
James 3:1-4
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
Who wants to be a teacher?
My first response is that no one wants to be a teacher. The responsibility is too high, and as we see here, their is a higher bar to be compared to. In reality, all those gifted by the Holy Spirit want to be teachers. It is how we glorify God. But we all want to teach our kids or those we love.
How do you interpret this warning?
The best way for me to see it is a warning that those who would follow are watching you. Our kids shared some observations this week and it was in areas we were not providing the best example. We need to understand that our wants and desires are of no consequence when compared to the calling of the Holy Spirit.
We all stumble in many things. How many things do you stumble in?
All. I am weak. Its terrible. Only through God can I do anything. There are a few verses around this.
I read a new phrase “cease striving”. I am trying to figure out how to apply it, but I think it has some counter to the stumbling in many things. Thoughts?
Wow. This was a long time ago. In the end, I interpreted this to mean stop trying to go after things that were not of God. I have tried desperately to understand and implement this, but I make little progress and none on my own.
Have you ever thought that if you could keep yourself from saying something wrong, that you would be perfect?
I had not until this study. I see that if you work on the core issue, then your words gradually get less offensive.
Why is the tongue so important?
Other people can hear it. My mind can get me in trouble too, but once I say it, I can hurt others.
Bits into the mouths. Can you see any applications of this in our spiritual lives?
The answer of the group was that we must see and use the Word of God as our bit. If we allow ourselves only to speak of the good things of God, then we can grow in maturity and positively impact those around us for God.
What is your small rudder?
It has to be the Holy Spirit, but often it becomes my sinful nature.
Will of the pilot? Who is the pilot?
Its a choice. God or yourself?
If God directs our steps, how can we make plans?
A plan is something big. I am going to the grocery store. A step is saying hi to the person I meet there. A plan is I am going to be healthy. A step is I am going to skip the bar and go to the gym. God wants us to think about Him when we make plans, but He wants us to obey when He asks us to take a step.