The Daily Devotional

The Pain of Being a Teacher or Pastor

Are you a teacher at your local church? If so, pray for God's grace in your life today.

Ezra Byer

24 Jul 2025 — 3 min read

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Key Verses: ¹Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. ²For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. - James 3:1-2

At the start of this third chapter, James singles out those who teach and reminds them of the awesome nature of their calling. It is not one to be taken lightly. Perhaps this is why the great pastor, Charles Spurgeon, famously stated, “He who desires to preach should reconsider.”

To every pastor, small group leader, and overseer of any ministry, these words from James should resonate. His point is that because these members have been given positions of authority to declare God’s truth, their words fall under the microscope of God’s lens.

In that day, teachers were held in a high position. There was a measure of prestige and power in attaining the title of teacher. It was a role that was often lorded over the people in Jesus’ day. But James' point is that a position of teacher isn't one of greater power, but greater accountability.