The other day I saw a teacher from my school in her car and
she was smoking a cigarette. It really surprised me to see someone who I look
up to so much doing something that almost anyone would say is very bad. I
understand that smoking is her own life decision and really shouldn’t judge her
for doing so, but it just took me aback.
James 3:1 talks about teachers, saying that not many people
should become teachers because they will be judged more strictly. We tend to
hold those who tell us how to act and what to do to higher standards, so it is
very important that when you are in teaching positions you are careful to do
and say the appropriate things.
The passage goes on to say, that we all make mistakes
sometimes, but those who never mess up with their speech are perfect and have
their whole body in check. We can get ourselves into a lot of trouble by just
saying the wrong things.
We’ve all been told that our actions speak louder than our
words, but sometimes what we say is just as important as what we do.
And sometimes it’s what we don’t say that is the most important. Proverbs 17:28
says, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his
lips, he is deemed intelligent.” It is very easy to be provoked by others and
say things that we shouldn’t out of frustration or anger, but sometimes just
holding our tongues is best.
James 3:3 likens our words to a bit, a small piece of metal
put in a horse’s mouth that is attached to reins and allows the rider to steer
it. Such a small device has the power to turn the whole animal, and in the same
way, our words can affect all of us. They can choose our paths and have
permanent effects on people, so we need to be very careful with them and think
about what we want to say before actually saying it.
Answer This:
- Have you tried to be a teacher in ways that you should not be?
- How have you been using you words? Is this the way you should be using them?
- When do you need to be silent instead of speaking?
- Take some time to journal about this passage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written by Hannah Pergolizzi
I have been told that I give good advice. People at school will cone to me with problems and I try my best to help them. But I can't even follow my own advice. Others benefit from me teaching them but I don't. I've been trying to follow what I teach but its really hard for some reason.
ReplyDelete