James gives us a two-fold exhortation to avoid pride and to strive for humility in these verses. In v. 1 James says, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." James is making it clear to leaders and especially those who "presume to be teachers" that they will be held to a different standard. Leaders and teachers are suppose to set a moral and spiritual example for others in both speech and lifestyle. This is one reason why Jesus was so harsh towards Pharisees because they failed in this endeavor. Leaders, aspiring leaders, and all Christians need to constantly check their hearts for pride. Pride blinds us from our own sins. C.S. Lewis writes, "A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you."
In v. 2, James gives us an honest and heart-felt confession, "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." No one is perfect... but we are all being perfected as we follow Jesus Christ. James reminds us that we need to always have a humble posture as we lead others. The apostle Paul echos these words in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, I am strong." Both James and Paul were great leaders who did great things but their lives were marked by this humility before God.
Application:
There is a leadership principle that is found in these short verses that we need to really take to heart. WHO we are as leaders is far more important than WHAT we do. Unfortunately, we in the church often get this principle backwards. Here are 3 simple applications.
1. Leaders need to be defined by their actions and not merely their words. Unfortunately, we are easily impressed with the spoken word. We can be seduced by the charisma and the power of the spoken word that we are blind to the real issues of integrity in the life of the speaker. The irony is that we are called to be a people of the Word and not merely words. It is best for us to remember the words from 1 John 4:1 "Do not believe every spirit but test the spirits..."
2. Leaders need to be defined by HOW they do things and not WHAT they do. I often judge others by what they have accomplished (ministry experience, educational background, public speaking occurrences, etc.). Because integrity is so hard to gauge, we look to other criteria to judge someone's godliness and effectiveness. At times, I am also tempted to rest on my accomplishments rather than continually to come before God in confession and repentance.
3. Leaders need to be defined by their "personal" devotion rather than their "public" accomplishments. I think of my former pastor Keith Zafren when it comes to a leader with a strong personal devotion. Pastor Keith accomplished quite a bit at an early age in ministry. The initial success of the River Church Community was just one of these impressive public accomplishments. But it was Keith's personal devotional life that I always respected. His early morning devotions before his daily morning workout (both disciplines that I need to grow in) was something that I really looked to emulate. People may look to the fact that he found such a fast growing and vibrant church but I always respected the fact that he had a real devotional life that helped him be a better father, husband, and child of God. This is my aspiration as well.
St. Augustine said, "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels."
Prayer:
Humble me everyday Lord. Please knock me off my high horse whenever you see fit. Let me see myself and others as I should.
