16
2/16/10
TEACHING
vv 3: 1-18

vi “the test of the tongue”
(vv3: 1-18)
With chapter two James ends his discussion of rich and poor for the moment and, Just as he has done before, he shifts to a new subject with the phrase “My brethren” going from a discussion of the futility of an “intellectual“faith, without the “life” shown by “work” (the actual physical, compassionate, material, helping of those in need) is dead; to some advice and caution to would be teachers, bringing back his discussion of the tongue from 1: 19-26 to illustrate his point:
3 1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For in many things we offend all.

If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

In that society teachers were highly honored and respected, and many aspired to the respect power, even in some cases wealth; not for glory of God, twisting/challenging/distorting the “word of God”. Many wished to teach but, though well meaning, brought the pagan beliefs from their former lives with them, mixing it with the bits and pieces of the “Truth” they had acquired, resulting in bazaar doctrines and heresies; some of which were out right blasphemous.

Though James doesn’t specifically address “false” teachers, he does state that teachers are accountable for what they teach and there is a heavy penalty for failure. False teachers have been a deadly problem from the very beginning, starting with the “father of liars”
The very first false teaching was intentional:

The Holy Bible, King James Version

Genesis 3
1Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely
die: 5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

As James develops this thought he declares that any teaching (wisdom) that doesn’t come from God, comes from demons! (Vv13-18) Jesus repeatedly warned us to beware of false teachers: Matt. 15:19But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And .Matt. 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man.

The apostle Paul also warned of false teachers: Gal 1:6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.;

2Tim3:13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. John, peter, and Jude give similar warnings in their writings, It was clearly a deadly threat then, just as it is now. The most dangerous teaching is the one that seems right, (often is almost right) is presented credibly. So much is at stake; people are deceived and condemned from incorrect, incomplete or un-clear teaching! Teaching the “Word” is deadly serious, must be performed in complete humility, with rigorous study, and prayer for guidance.

Let’s look at some examples of the results of some questionable teachings:
YouTube:
Benny Hinn
Kenneth Hagin
Kenneth Copeland
Toronto Blessing

Snake handling
etc

Then counter with:
John Piper
John Macarthur
Etc.
(I will post some of these videos with the lesson, in my notes)
DISCUSSION
• Did Jesus mean the “great Commission” to apply only to the Apostles present?
• Are we all supposed to abandon our livelihoods and “go” teach?
• Why not?
• What are we supposed to do?
• How do we know if a teaching is “wrong”?
• Holy Ghost? “Gift” of discernment?