Not Many Masters

James 3:1 KJV

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

The passage is obviously speaking of those who take a position of leadership, teaching the Word of God. Though it is a good work to desire it is not a work to enter only because one desires it. James addresses two issues directly connected to the ministry and offenses:

The issue of the tongue

The man who enters into the ministry must have mastery of his tongue. No doubt many will be offended by the preaching of the cross. We do not need to add to that other offenses such as

·         Personality

·         Poor humor or

·         Personal preference

The issue of envy

The ministry is no place for the competitive man who must be first or be bitter toward those who are.

Generally the ones who seek out the ministry are also the ones who are given to these offensive qualities. To be sure, those qualities can be and are frequently taught to one who wouldn't possess them of his own accord. But most often they are in fact the nature of the one who craves mastery.

It has no place among the servants of the Lord