Spencer Clark Feb 23, 2022
Two verses when placed alongside one another seem to provide contradictory instructions regarding Christians becoming teachers. The first is in Hebrews 5:12 where it says that “by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” However, James seems to say something entirely different, warning that not many of us “should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement” (James 3:1). So, which is it? Should we or should we not become teachers?
We should first recognize that Hebrews is writing about spiritual maturity to a group of complacent believers (Heb. 5:11). These Christians have had sufficient time to develop into a mature disciple, but instead are dependent like a child who needs milk and not solid food. James, on the other hand, is dealing with controlling the tongue and warns those who desire to be teachers of the strict judgement on their words. We could possibly make the case that James is referring to a position of teacher, while Hebrews refers to the general ability to teach or communicate the Gospel to others.
The point is this: we should be mature enough in our faith and knowledge that we can communicate our beliefs to others. That doesn’t mean we must be a skilled Bible class teacher in the church. But we should “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15). One of the ways to develop this skill is by spending time discussing matters of the faith with other Christians so that you become comfortable talking about it. We are comfortable at discussing the things we know and love: hobbies, projects, jobs, sports, family matters, etc. What would happen if indeed we did, as a church, discuss matters of faith with one another in our daily lives? Would more souls know Christ? Would we not all, then, be teachers?