Words are powerful in the mouth of anyone who speaks, as I wrote on Monday. But words are even more powerful in the mouths of those who teach and lead because they have a responsibility to guide correctly with the things they say. The wrong word can ruin your life or someone else’s. And that’s why, as Christians, how we teach the Gospel is incredibly important.

James 3:1-2 says, “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.”

I know that James 3 is talking specifically about teachers, but we can spread this verse out to apply to all who teach. That means it applies to every believer who teachers others about the Gospel (which we should all be doing, by the way). But let’s apply it to teachers first.

I think it’s fair to say that teachers are judged more strictly by society. And I feel confident that every elementary, middle, high school, and college teacher will agree with me there. That’s because judgment typically goes hand in hand with responsibility: the more you are responsible for, the more people look up to you to always do the right thing, the harsher you are judged.

A teacher in a school will have their every action monitored and critiqued by other teachers, administrators, and parents of the children in their classes. Some children likely do some critiquing of their own, as well.

It’s the same for teachers in the church, too, especially pastors. Every word they say is critiqued by the congregation, other pastors, and anyone else who happens to hear their message. And actually, that is as it should be. Never hear a message preached without checking what is said by what the Bible says. That’s why James says that not everyone is fit to be a teacher.

Being a teacher requires constant monitoring of your heart and actions to make sure they are good and showing the fruit of the Spirit. It means constantly analyzing your lessons to make sure they are God-inspired and spoken so that you do not say anything careless, nor anything that is not backed up by scripture.

I say all this to say that you will be judged by what you say just as much as by what you do. Matthew 12:36 says, “I tell you that one the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.”

Why is this the case? Because, as I’ve said, words are important. The tongue has the power to direct the body and soul. One of the reasons why teachers are judged more harshly is because they must give an account for every soul they directed through the lessons they’ve taught. I take this idea from Hebrews 13:17, which says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.”

But, indeed, as Matthew 12:36 says, we all must give an account for what we say. This rings true for those of us who go out to act on the Great Commission and speak the Gospel of life to those who need to hear. If we say the wrong thing, we must give an account for it. If we speak unbiblically, we must give an account for that.

James 3:6 says, “And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.”

I want to focus on “sets the course of life on fire.” With what you say, you have the ability to guide someone to Heaven or send them on a crash course to Hell. And this is my whole point. If God tells you to show someone the Gospel and you don’t know it well enough to speak the truth of life into them, you have to give an account of that. If you say the wrong thing and they turn away from God because of that, you have to give an account. You have to tell God when you approach the judgment seat what happened there.

1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “But honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.”

Look, you can’t control other people’s actions, but you sure can influence them. If someone is going to turn away from God and Heaven, you can’t control them. But you can make sure you are not the reason they do so. When it comes to teaching the Gospel, make sure you’re ready to speak life into the person the Spirit directs you to share with.

Don’t let what you say be a stumbling block for someone else. I write all this because we talk about not letting what we do be a stumbling block for others, but it’s equally as important to watch what you say with the same fervor. True, sometimes actions speak louder than words, but often, a misplaced word is enough to make your actions meaningless.

Guard your tongue, guard your mouth, speak the Gospel backed by scripture. Speak carefully and exercise caution when provoked to answer, and don’t let what you say be the reason for someone turning away from the way, the truth, and the life. You have the power to change someone’s life; use it wisely.