The Teacher and the Tongue (Pt 2)

We've all heard the statement "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Perhaps you've even uttered it once or twice as a child. Unfortunately, it isn't true - not even close. Very often the greatest possible harm we can inflict on someone else comes through the reckless use of words. It's with this in mind that James urges his readers, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with a greater strictness" (Jas. 3:1). It's a rather curious connection. What's so powerful about our words, and what does it show us about the kind of expectations that a church should have for those who would lead it? Ryan explains in the second part of a two-part message from James 3:1-18 entitled "The Teacher and the Tongue."