In the third chapter of the book of James there is an important statement for anyone who would teach the word of God to bear in mind. Verse one declares—“let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (NKJV). This is important and fearful because it shows the care that teachers must use in the words that they say because of the stricter judgment that they will receive.

     Is such caution necessary only for those who teach? In the book of Philippians Paul tells us all to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (2:12). That indicates that caution should be exercised in each Christian’s life so that both our words and our lives may be pleasing to God. As the Psalmist prays—“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14).

     The question is how do we teach what teach the world needs to hear and yet exercise this caution? The recognition that God expects us to use great care in the words that we say could lead us to become timid and never speak. Certainly there is a time when we should choose silence. James 1:19 teaches us—“…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” Yet, at the same time in Christ we can have confidence in our relationship to God and the things that we teach from His word. Paul tells the Ephesians that in Christ—“…we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:12). Caution must not result in timidity.

     The way to exercise caution in our words and yet avoid timidity rest in some advice offered by the Apostle Peter. In his first epistle he teaches, through the direction of the Holy Spirit—“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (I Peter 4:11). If all of the things we say are firmly grounded on “book, chapter and verse” authority from God’s word we “speak as the oracles of God.” When we train ourselves to allow God to speak through us, through His word, we will direct our words in a way that safe and sound. It may seem a little bit odd or old fashioned to establish what we say by specific scriptures, but when we do so we will not only avoid danger but be confident that we are speaking the truth. We will do well to remember—“a fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions” (Proverbs 18:2, NIV).