Does this verse ever scare you?

[FireFeet]

Does this verse ever scare you?

"...we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness." (James 3:1)

As writers, we are teachers. We are presenting the world with ideas and images of God and faith and life. We are shaping their paradigms...we are influencing their choices...we are affecting their emotions.

Sometimes, the thought of this responsiblity makes me tremble.

[AngelAzariah]

_____That's why I say my work is a fictional biagraphy. :D Thanks for bringing that scripture up to me again.

[rodojeki]

Fire Feet

The verse doesnt scare me, but it does encourage me to draw closer to Him and to the written word for a better understanding, to accept the gifting He gave me with honor upon my heart and not just write what I think the world needs to hear, but to share His message through my experience with Him. Sometimes I have to lay my pen down, because my heart is not in tune to Him. We are instruments of His. We all know there are false prophets, there are churches that want to bend every rule to their own liking, there are Christians that become complacent in their walk; but we would not have the wisdom to discern those things if we did not know His word; twisitng the word or even dismissing His word completely just to fit the needs of the world is common to satisfy the boastful, prideful flesh. But if we align our livesto His calling, to His will, we can walk confident in Him as His faithful servants.

Donna

[DrRita]

Donna,
I have to say, it does because I've been chastised as it says in this verse. God has given me the gift of teaching and I've been a Bible teacher for many years. In the late 80's when I was in the midst of a church horror story (it's in my book, "Confessions of a Lady Pastor), I was teaching a Bible Study in our little church in Oregon. God used it to keep sanity within the church while the walls were crumbling around us because of some deception that had crept into the main body of teaching. This study was entitled "Grace, Our Only Hope," and focused on our stand in grace for salvation and sanctification. When it concluded, I felt God wanted me to keep the study group going so we began a study in Jude. As the "flesh" would have it, I used the position of teacher in this study to come against the prevailing problem in our church. I wasn't exactly wrong about the problem, but I was wrong in using my position as teacher for my own sounding board and I used the study in Jude to "prove" my position. Anyway, the study concluded and we moved back to California a few months later. It wasn't for another year or so that God spoke to me about what I'd done. He showed me why he couldn't let me teach for a while, because I had slid from teacher/servant to teacher/despot. It was almost eight years before I taught again. I am now acutely aware of the position of teacher and the responsibility it carries. I'm not sure everyone would go through this, but I actually am glad I did. I don't think God could have used me in teaching theology and preaching if he hadn't have taught me this very hard lesson. God is an awesome God.

[rodojeki]

God gives us all different experiences....He is amazing !!

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

It does scare me sometimes but then I remember that His Grace is sufficent!

[dublinheart]

Scare-nope, but sobering-yes! It's an awesome responsibility, but like Warrior 4 Jesus said, "His grace is sufficient."

[Hisart]

Na. It does jerk my chain though.
God gave the gift, calling and grace to do it, so do it.
God Bless!
Hisart :cool:

[paulchernoch]

I am not ashamed to say, yes, it scares me. But seeing as other things I do are probably more offensive to God than the mistakes I currently make in teaching others, fear of that particular failing is not chiefest in my thinking.

- Paul

[Chiara]

I wonder if it's this sort of thing that paralyses some of us from ever consider teaching at all. I can't lead a Bible study until I've comitted every chapter and verse entirely to memory seems to have been one of the millstones about my neck -- even though I know it's not true.

Should we be fearful? Yes, but not in the negative sense of the word.

[ellenjames]

Chiara, I like your question: "Should we be fearful?"

I suppose this means fearful of God? In my thinking 'awe' is a better word. (And I like Dublinheart's word 'sobering'.) The only thing we should fear about God is displeasing Him. Yes, He is a great God and he gives grace to accomplish any task He gives us.

Dr Rita is correct: sometimes God chastises us. But when we have learned from the experience, He is there with His grace to help us do better. :D
Praise the Lord!

Ellenjames

[writegirl1949]

I don't think it scares as much as keeps me focused on God. Since I've felt God's guidance in posting regularly on my blog, I've drawn a lot closer to the Lord. While I try to use my experiences in order to keep it real, I also feel compelled by the Holy Sprit to back up what I say with scriptures.

Here's a scarier thought ... if we ignore God's calling in our lives. :eek:

I believe we must enter our writing time with prayer for God's guidance ... in other words, His guidance, our words.

Blessings, Francine

[jvdoles]

Does this verse ever scare you?

"...we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness." (James 3:1)

As writers, we are teachers. We are presenting the world with ideas and images of God and faith and life. We are shaping their paradigms...we are influencing their choices...we are affecting their emotions.

Sometimes, the thought of this responsiblity makes me tremble.

Let not your heart be troubled. Be sure of your call. Trust in the tremendous grace and mercy of God. And repentance is always a good thing. :)

Peace to you.