The Power of the Tongue: Living Under New Covenant Wisdom
In the early days of the Christian church, believers faced a unique challenge. They had grown up with the Torah, the teachings of the rabbis, and the wisdom of the prophets. But now they were living under a new covenant through Jesus Christ. The question that plagued many of them was simple yet profound: How do we live now? This confusion was especially acute for those who had scattered from Jerusalem seeking religious freedom. They carried their faith with them but often lacked mature teachers to guide them. In this vacuum, many began setting themselves up as teachers—sometimes because there was genuine need, other times because knowing slightly more than others gave them a sense of authority and prestige. The Weight of Teaching The Book of James addresses this situation head-on with a sobering warning: "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1). Teaching is not something to be ta...