Verse 1
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This verse has two sides to it. Firstly, the world will target teachers more, and will criticize teachers more than the average believer. Leaders are more in the limelight, so they take more flack.
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But God will target teachers more when the time comes for them to meet Him. God will judge leaders and teachers more strictly than the average believer. Why?
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Teachers help to guide people in a certain direction. But if a teacher misguides someone, he/she will be held responsible for leading people astray, harming their faith, or hindering them (Luke 11:52).
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Even worse, false teachers, who prevent people from coming to salvation (Matthew 23:13-14), will suffer a more severe condemnation.
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Do your best to fully understand what you venture to teach to someone else, and make sure that it is based only upon the Word of God. There will be judgment for what you say, so be careful!
Verses 2-12
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Our words are hard to control. And it is impossible to be perfect without controlling one's words.
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Our words are also powerful (Proverbs 18:21). They can be a sharp sword to destroy life (Psalm 57:4, Proverbs 12:18) or a sword to destroy evil and convict of sin (Isaiah 49:2, Hebrews 4:12).
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A man, alone, cannot tame his tongue, but by the power Spirit we can.
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And if we have the self-control to master our tongue, we will have great self-control in many other areas as well.
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Use your words wisely. Do not harm people with your words. Speak only what will edify or build people up to become more like Christ (Ephesians 4:29).
Verses 13-18
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Beyond words, an ultimate challenge is your heart condition or the posture behind your actions.
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Many want to be wise, but don't understand that wisdom comes along with humility and selflessness—the right heart (Proverbs 11:2).
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If you are truly wise and understand God's ways, show it first by godly conduct and humility. But if you have selfish, envious, or ungodly motives in what you do or say, your wisdom is satanic—not from God at all.
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Selfishness brings confusion and all other forms of evil. Don't be selfish, or you will suffer many problems.
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So, in any course of action, ask yourself why you're doing something. If your heart-posture is wrong, this question will help to remove much foolishness, acting as a screen or filter. Do only what you know is being done to truly help and serve others for the glory of God.
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To be truly wise, be selfless and gentle, and live what you say. And be a peaceful person if you want your actions to create peace in others.