A Word about the Word

James 3:1 

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."

Be prepared my readers for I am about to go on a tangent. Why? For some reason this topic keeps coming up in my life. I tend to see it everywhere; in the events around me, in my scripture reading. It has to do with The Word. Not any word. Not the words we speak day in and day out, not these words that your reading on your screen. The Word…

"In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him and without him not anything was made that was made." 

Logos. A greek word many of us churchy kids grew up hearing. Reason. Jesus. He was there in the beginning. Yes. But, Oh my friend how there is so much more! Logos: a word, a statement, speech… a divine utterance. In the beginning was a divine utterance. There was reason. (Let us think about that for a minute. Can we not appreciate REASON in our world today? A world where reason often seems lost.) There was more; there was truth. Remember the account of the garden? God made everything and He made it VERY GOOD. It is hard to imagine as we sit in our broken, fallen world. Oh how I long to see my saviors face and watch as he creates the new heaven and new earth….it will be perfect, just like Him. What a precious thing that is given to us. John 1:14 says that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…."He was/is the divine utterance, He is truth, He is reason.

Not only did God give us his son in the flesh to come, live, die and rise again, but He gave us His Word in book form. The Bible. King David, many years before Christ was born, told us how precious the Word of God was. He said it was a lamp unto our feet. He said that we should meditate on it, and memorize it. If we do it will keep us from sin and we will bear fruit. Hebrews tells us that His word is sharper than any two edged sword. It cuts through our thoughts and motives. He tells us that His Word is food, a map, and a sword. He tells us that it is hope and a refuge. It is truth.

Proverbs 30:6

Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

I am a firstborn…of 6 children. I have a lion personality. An ISTP if that means anything to you. My spiritual gifts are teacher/exhorter and my love language is words of affirmation. It is safe to assume I like to talk and I like telling people what to do. I've pretty much made a living off of it. It is a passion of mine to see young girls taught scripture and equipped to teach others. However, teaching is serious business. In proverbs it talks about the "Fear of the Lord." I know what that is. I have super loving and awesome parents. My dad was my hero. He would take me on dates. He would write me postcards when he was traveling a lot. I never doubted my fathers love for me. However, when I back talked to my mom and I suddenly saw my dad turn towards me and I knew what was coming... that is holy fear right there. The same is true with my heavenly father. I never doubt His love for me. However, when I stand before a group of girls or children ready to teach, that holy fear is there. I pray I never lose it. I believe we should be sober-minded when we teach. Why? James 3:1.

These are not opinions or frivolous words being thrown around. They are not a Halmark card greeting, they are not a valedictorian speech or even the State of the Union Address. Ya, some of those are important and incredible but this…this is so much more. This is Logos. THE DIVINE UTTERANCE OF GOD! 

So, although my motto is still "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season…" I pray that every teacher stands before the Lord sober-minded. Peter tells to be sober-minded because our enemy is prowling around seeking someone to devour. Don't let it be you or those you are teaching. How can we as humans... failing, sinning, blubbering humans, stand before anyone and preach the Word? KNOW THE WORD. He did not tell us to hide our light under a bushel. He tells us that He will be with us. He has given us everything we need to succeed. He dwells within us. I'm not saying we should give up or that we shouldn't have this many teachers. What I am saying is let us take our job seriously. The Lord has allowed us to be apart of His great plan and kingdom. So STUDY to show yourself approved. MEDITATE so that you may not sin against Him. And above all remember….

2 Peter 1:20 

Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 

Let us be STUDENTS of the Word! Don't take things at face value and don't expect anyone else to. Do your research, study, prepare, dive into the Word. There is nothing better, nothing more rewarding the getting to KNOW your Savior.  :)