Warnings & Advise To Biblical Teachers

As mentioned before, those who teach are expect to maintain and exacting standard of sound teaching and doctrine.

James 3:1
"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

As such, teachers or leaders must also take care to not be hypocrites. The Greek word [ὑποκριτής] hypokritēs is actually an interesting word. The Greek stage actors in New Testament times would often perform in enormous amphitheaters that seated thousands. Not only would they need to project their voices to be heard but they would also need to use or wear over-sized masks to show emotion facial expressions to those in the farthest seating. What were these Greek actors with over-exaggerated pretending masks called? Hypokritēs [ὑποκριτής]. Not only were they pretending to be something they were not but they did it with ostentatious zeal in an almost caricature or cartoon like fashion.

The Needed To Shepherd The Flock:

Teachers were expected to not lead believers astray with false doctrine of evil motives. (Matthew 23:15)

Matthew 23:15
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

Fairly Judge:

They were not to be harsh judges to others, especially in the body of the church (Matthew 23:29-32)

Matthew 23:29-32
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!"

They Holy Spirit is not a puppet master and The Spirit does not mystically take over the mouth and body of a teacher like a PA (public address) system. It is part of the duties of a teacher to work hard to prepare to teach. Diligence. It is part of the duty as teachers to study and set a good example to others of what diligent study is.

On the flip-side of the coin we see that their also is an unique requirement of those that need to learn. The learner, student or the one that takes on the yoke of Christ must submit to Him, his authority and His teaching. When you read and learn about the Scripture you are to do so with a willingness to accept it and learn it like a child and obey it. It is then that you truly begin to learn and understand God's truth.

In Both Cases:

Whether teacher or leader.

Luke 12:48
"But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

Also, as a general rule of thumb for all that are in teaching or leadership roles we should always remember 1 Timothy chapter 3. Although this passage applies to overseers and deacons of the church they are all good rules for anyone that will be a model of leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-10).

General Rules:

For Those In Leadership Rolls

1 Timothy 3:1-10
"Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons."

Be Diligent:

One final exhortation from Paul to Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:11-16
"Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.