The Seriousness of Teaching
by Jarrod M. Jacobs
Twice in Ezekiel, God warns him about how serious it is to teach God’s truth and warn people when they are in sin. Ezekiel 3:17-21 and 33:2-9 make it clear that Ezekiel served as a “watchman” for the Lord. As such, he had the duty to warn people about sin and the need to repent. If Ezekiel refused to warn, those in sin would die in their sin, but their blood would be on the head of Ezekiel. In other words, he would be responsible for not giving them the warning they needed. Conversely, if Ezekiel warned and the people ignored him, they would die in their sins as before, but Ezekiel would not be held responsible.
James 3:1 reminds us that being a teacher means receiving a “greater condemnation” (KJV). Some versions say it will be a “stricter judgment” or a “more severe (greater, heavier) judgment.” A version called “The Remedy New Testament” says it perhaps the most straightforward way: “My brothers and sisters, few of you are ready to become teachers because those who teach must function at the highest standards.”
I believe Ezekiel 3:17-21 and 33:2-9 give us some insight into this passage in James by noting that God held Ezekiel accountable for his words, or lack thereof, and that if he refused to speak when he needed to then there would be consequences he would suffer!
Let the words in Ezekiel and James serve as warnings to those who wish to teach God’s word. Whether we teach publicly or privately, let us appreciate the responsibility in so doing. When one teaches, he is not merely speaking an opinion or “thinking out loud.” His work is to “speak as the oracles of God” (I Peter 4:11). He is to do so “in season and out of season” (II Timothy 4:2). In other words, to speak the truth when people like it and when people do not like it. Ezekiel has already been told he will have to have a “hard forehead” as he taught the people (Ezekiel 3:9). This gives us an idea of their attitude toward God’s warnings. If Ezekiel refused to warn, he would be held accountable. At the same time, I find it interesting that while God held Ezekiel responsible for teaching and warning, He did not hold Ezekiel accountable for their obedience or disobedience!
Men have free will. Therefore, the decision to obey or disobey does not rest with the teacher (Mark 16:16; Revelation 22:18-19; Romans 10:13-17). At the same time, if men never knew they had an option, this lack of knowledge rests with the teacher. If you have felt intimidated by the idea of teaching others for fear of how people might respond, then let these words be of comfort to you. You are responsible for teaching but not responsible for their decision or response to the truth!
When Paul preached, he understood what God said to Ezekiel. When Paul went to Corinth and encountered opposition from the Jews, it finally reached the point where Paul said, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6). Paul had spent several Sabbaths teaching (Acts 18:3), but it finally came to a point where Paul had to focus upon those who were willing to listen, just like Jesus had taught (Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Acts 13:51). He was “pure” from their blood because he had taught the truth and had not held back. Yet, Paul also understood he was not responsible for their obedience to the truth. Thus, the apostle went to those he thought would listen and obey.
Paul repeated this in Acts 20. When he met the Ephesian elders for the last time, among other things, he stated, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27). He had emphasized earlier that his teaching had been done “publicly, and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). He was free because he had taught the people all that God had wanted and did not spare for people’s feelings or for folks being upset at the words. He explains this further in Acts 20:31.
Teaching God’s word is serious business because the souls of men are what is at stake! Ezekiel was made aware of this in a very real way, as was Paul, and as are we through James! There is a great need for teachers and preachers of the gospel, but we don’t need folks just to say the things that are easy to hear or what we intend to do anyway! We need folks to tell us the hard things and the things that demand introspection, sorrow for sins, repentance, and obedience so that we might rise above this old world and be “holy people” (I Peter 1:15-16; Matthew 5:48; Hebrews 12:14), folks who are preparing themselves for Heaven!
