“Not Many of You Should Become Teachers”: thoughts on working with words

After a message I heard this past week from James 3:1-12 about taming the tongue, I have been pondering the first verse of that text:

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

This is one of those verses that sent shivers down my spine when I first felt a calling to pastoral ministry. The seriousness of the pastoral calling gains added sobriety from James’ words about those who teach being judged more strictly. Because James longs for his readers to stand solidly before God on the final day, and because he knows (as we all do) that it is very easy to stumble in what one says (James 3:2), he urges caution.

In a world that is saturated with words, what might James’ words say to those of us who teach, preach, write, or use words to influence others. Let me suggest seven ways we should use caution as proclaimers of words.

1. Our words flow from within – Jesus said, “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Matthew 12:34). What we bring out, for good or for ill, is a direct overflow of our inner life with God. Therefore, if we work with words, we should give serious attention to our inner life with God. 
2. Words are powerful, so use them for good – Words are powerful and have long-lasting impact. Because of the enduring nature of print and electronic media, many of our words, whether spoken or written, will live long after us. Because of this we have a powerful opportunity to speak blessing, goodness, encouragement, and healing into the lives of others. Let us use each opportunity well with our words. 
3. Personal ambition can cloud our words – Ambition can be good or bad. Good ambition spurs us to do things we would not otherwise step out to do. But James seems concerned with bad forms of ambition that lead us to seek influence for its own sake. When we use words to fill a deep need in our soul for recognition, we can be sure that our words are not serving their best purpose.
4. Anger can distort our words – In a world of immediate responses, it is good to cool down before speaking or writing. My own rule of thumb is that I will wait 24 hours before responding to someone who says something that makes me angry. I need to consider why I am angry or distressed by something before I respond to it. I may learn more about myself by what is being sparked within me. In fact, sometimes it is better not to respond at all. 
5. Listening is more important than speaking – It is a common proverb that there is something to learn from the fact that we have two ears and one mouth. Perhaps, this suggests, we should listen twice as much as we speak. At the very least, it emphasizes the importance of listening well. In fact, our work with words—whether speaking or writing—will only bear fruit if our ears are open. Listen first, speak second.  
6. Sometimes we say the wrong words or use words wrongly – There are times when we get it wrong with our words. We may say the wrong thing and do damage. We may use words wrongly and hurt someone. When this happens, the most important thing a leader can do is to own up to that wrong, take responsibility, apologize for the wrong, and make amends where possible. 
7. Our words echo the first words – Then, fundamentally is this: all words are response to the first word that is spoken by God to create all things. When we realize that all words are response, it changes what we are trying to do with our words. It frees us from using our words to try to become something. Instead, this realization allows us to recognize that God has already made us something, and so we can utilize our words more freely and joyfully. 

These are just a few thoughts in reflection. What would you add as your own reflection to the significance and power of words for those who teach, preach, write, or use words to influence others?