Teachers?

A while back, I wrote about that old phrase: "Those who can't do, teach."

In the secular world, you can understand a field and teach it, even if you are not especially good at it yourself. But it's different for the Christian teacher. I do believe, for the Christian, if you're going to teach, you should not only know your stuff, but live it.

But I'll tell ya, I realize the inadequacy of my faith so much of the time. What I mean is, I might have the head knowledge, but living it out is hard sometimes.

Does that mean I, or others, should not teach because we struggle with a topic we teach on? I don't really think that's the case. Within reason, of course—no teacher should be a hypocrite.

Case in point: Sunday's message hit home. I don't feel I need to go into the exact topic, only to say that it is a recurring theme in my life. It's also something that I "know" from Scripture, and I have taught it to others. But it is quite the challenge when it comes to living it out myself. It hit me especially hard this past weekend.

So what is a teacher to do upon realizing that they are inadequate? Ask God for continued grace and help? For sure. Stop teaching? I fear if teachers had to stop teaching everytime they realized they were inadequate in something, we'd have no teachers.

It is at this point, however, that I want to be careful. Clear and blatant sin is a vastly different problem. I do believe teachers can struggle with areas of their faith, and even with some sins, and still teach. I don't believe the standard is perfection, but direction. Those, however, who are unashamedly unrepentant, struggle with what we might consider more grievous sin, or who flat-out teach falsehoods are in a different category.

So I guess that's the crux of the matter. At what part of that spectrum am I, or other teachers, struggling with?

Because let's face it, we're all imperfect people in need of a perfect Savior. Therefore, we're all struggling. Some struggling means we shouldn't teach, and some doesn't. The standards outlined for deacons and elders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are there for a reason, as well as James' warning in James 3:1. There's no place for hypocrisy in the life of a teacher. Accountability is also key.

So if you teach, remember you are not the Lone Ranger. You need a Tonto in your life (preferably several).

I realize this is more of a ramble today than normal; it's something that I was wrestling with the other day and wanted to share with you.

But I think the takeaway is this: pray for those who teach the Word. They need it; I need it. Give grace abundantly as well—your teachers are imperfect humans. Yet hold them accountable, but in a Christ-like way. Finally, be a friend to them.