James 3:1-12
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

The power of example! I suspect this caution to teachers is placed here because of the power of what one says and how one behaves.

When I had my final interview before being hired to be a teacher in Marysville, the principal cautioned me not to have my “highball” in Marysville but go instead to Milford Center where I would be less visible. A few years later, a Marysville teacher almost lost his job because he played in a band in a local bar thereby setting a bad example.

Times have changed! Teachers now have no more behavioral obligation than anyone else. Is this good or bad? People are watching! Those in positions of authority are watched especially closely. Having the freedom to do something doesn’t mean it is a wise thing to do. Even though one’s action may be harmless, it is wise to consider how that act might be perceived. James says clearly that teachers will be held accountable for their words and actions. By extension, we are all teachers of Christianity by the example we set.

While we work on being a better behavioral example as Christians, we should be even more aware of the power of the tongue. Do you ‘clean up’ your speech when you are in certain settings or around certain people? I know I’m guilty. If we can turn it on and off then, we can do it all the time.

The bottom line: as a Christian we reflect Christ to the world. People are watching!  What do they see?