James 3:1 offers a sobering reminder that church leaders, pastors, and Bible teachers are held to a higher standard because of their responsibility to teach God’s Word. In this devotional, Emily Rose Massey explores the growing concern over moral failures among Christian leaders and why believers should respond with prayer rather than cynicism. As false teaching, spiritual compromise, and public scandals continue to impact the church, Christians are called to support and pray for faithful pastors who shepherd God’s people with integrity and biblical conviction.

Highlights
James 3:1 reveals the serious responsibility carried by Bible teachers and pastors.
Church leaders are held to a higher standard because they influence others spiritually.
Moral failures in ministry should lead believers to prayer, not cynicism.
False teaching can create confusion and spiritual harm within the church.
Faithful pastors need consistent prayer and support from their congregations.
Sound biblical teaching protects believers from deception.
Church leaders face unique spiritual attacks and temptations.
Christians can strengthen their local church by praying for those who shepherd and teach.

Join the Conversation

How has a faithful pastor, elder, or Bible teacher impacted your spiritual growth? What are practical ways believers can encourage and pray for church leaders facing the challenges of ministry?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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Full Transcript Below:

The High Standard of Church Leaders 

By: Emily Rose Massey

Bible Reading:
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1, ESV).

It seems that over the last couple of years, there has been much exposure and shaking in the church regarding leaders who have fallen or gotten caught in scandal and lies. When the news of another pastor’s moral failure makes its way into the public eye, is your first reaction one of sarcasm and jadedness, or does it cause you to weep and hit your knees in prayer? It seems easier to get angry or grow cynical when those in the pulpit fall into grave sin and disappoint those who have attributed much of their spiritual growth from their teaching. Instead of wagging our fingers or shaking our heads in disappointment, it should truly break our hearts when leaders in the church fall.

There is a stern warning found in the book of James that should cause us pause and reflect upon the great and weighty responsibility that pastors carry as teachers of God’s Word:

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1, ESV).

This verse begins a chapter in the book of James that focuses on the importance of the tongue and its ability to either bring encouragement and growth or hostility and destruction. We will all be held accountable for the words we speak, but for those who teach the Bible, there is a higher standard. With a higher standard comes a stronger judgment from God. This should motivate us to pray for teachers, especially those who pastor our own local church. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

In America (and perhaps even around the world, thanks to television and social media), the gospel of Jesus Christ has become extremely muddied by false teaching full of false gospels, New Age/occult/pagan practices, lying signs and wonders, and distractions from worldly desires that are all leading many to false Christs.

For almost half of our marriage, my husband and I were among those believers who were believing lies from the result of the twisting of scripture and emotional, mental, and spiritual manipulation from leaders in ministry whom we trusted. By God’s grace, we were rescued from this deception and now attend a sound and Biblical church that has been such a blessing to our family. Every week, the elders preach the Word of God with such conviction and clarity, and are unashamed about the gospel. Although we finally feel “safe,” we know that these men of God are susceptible to the same temptations as we are, and instead of growing comfortable or letting our guard down, we must fiercely pray for the men in our lives who teach God’s Holy Word because Satan has put a giant target on their backs. The enemy knows how much damage can be done to the Body of Christ if God’s Word is abused or distorted, but the same is true for the carriers of that message; A teacher’s life is held to a higher standard because the Lord uses teachers to help us understand who He is. The weighty responsibility and calling of bringing truth to the sheep of God is one no one should have to bear alone. Let us shoulder Kingdom responsibility with our elders by making it a priority to daily pray for the teachers and pastors who have much influence on our spiritual well-being. 

In the age we live in, we can know personal details of public figures very quickly and easily. It seems there is always a new Christian leader who has given in to fleshly temptation and taken advantage of the trust of their sheep. When you discover this shocking news of another moral failing, are you tempted to harden your heart or grow cynical towards the church? It should cause us heartache and wake us up to the reality that the enemy wants to cause destruction among God’s people. These moral failings cause distrust among sheep, but they also hurt our witness to the world when they see the hypocrisy and corruption within the visible church.

We must ask the Lord to give us a burden to pray for church leaders, but more importantly, the leaders of our very own church who have given their lives to shepherd souls and teach others about God and His ways. We are called to make disciples and need to be equipped by God’s Word to do that. God has called teachers and pastors to a higher standard to equip the Body for the work of the ministry by teaching us what God’s Word says. May we be quick to lift them up every day, knowing the seriousness of their high calling as teachers of God’s Holy Word, and thank the Lord for their role in your life personally, as someone who keeps watch over your soul. 

Further Reading:

1 Timothy 3:1-13

Titus 1:7-9

1 Peter 5:1-4

James 3:1 offers a sobering reminder that church leaders, pastors, and Bible teachers are held to a higher standard because of their responsibility to teach God&rsquo;s Word. In this devotional, Emily Rose Massey explores the growing concern over moral failures among Christian leaders and why believers should respond with prayer rather than cynicism. As false teaching, spiritual compromise, and public scandals continue to impact the church, Christians are called to support and pray for faithful pastors who shepherd God&rsquo;s people with integrity and biblical conviction.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>James 3:1 reveals the serious responsibility carried by Bible teachers and pastors.</li>
<li>Church leaders are held to a higher standard because they influence others spiritually.</li>
<li>Moral failures in ministry should lead believers to prayer, not cynicism.</li>
<li>False teaching can create confusion and spiritual harm within the church.</li>
<li>Faithful pastors need consistent prayer and support from their congregations.</li>
<li>Sound biblical teaching protects believers from deception.</li>
<li>Church leaders face unique spiritual attacks and temptations.</li>
<li>Christians can strengthen their local church by praying for those who shepherd and teach.</li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation
How has a faithful pastor, elder, or Bible teacher impacted your spiritual growth? What are practical ways believers can encourage and pray for church leaders facing the challenges of ministry?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: <a href="https://forums.crosswalk.com/">https://forums.crosswalk.com/</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
The High Standard of Church Leaders&nbsp;
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness&rdquo; (James 3:1, ESV).
It seems that over the last couple of years, there has been much exposure and shaking in the church regarding leaders who have fallen or gotten caught in scandal and lies. When the news of another pastor&rsquo;s moral failure makes its way into the public eye, is your first reaction one of sarcasm and jadedness, or does it cause you to weep and hit your knees in prayer? It seems easier to get angry or grow cynical when those in the pulpit fall into grave sin and disappoint those who have attributed much of their spiritual growth from their teaching. Instead of wagging our fingers or shaking our heads in disappointment, it should truly break our hearts when leaders in the church fall.
There is a stern warning found in the book of James that should cause us pause and reflect upon the great and weighty responsibility that pastors carry as teachers of God&rsquo;s Word:
&ldquo;Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness&rdquo; (James 3:1, ESV).
This verse begins a chapter in the book of James that focuses on the importance of the tongue and its ability to either bring encouragement and growth or hostility and destruction. We will all be held accountable for the words we speak, but for those who teach the Bible, there is a higher standard. With a higher standard comes a stronger judgment from God. This should motivate us to pray for teachers, especially those who pastor our own local church.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
In America (and perhaps even around the world, thanks to television and social media), the gospel of Jesus Christ has become extremely muddied by false teaching full of false gospels, New Age/occult/pagan practices, lying signs and wonders, and distractions from worldly desires that are all leading many to false Christs.
For almost half of our marriage, my husband and I were among those believers who were believing lies from the result of the twisting of scripture and emotional, mental, and spiritual manipulation from leaders in ministry whom we trusted. By God&rsquo;s grace, we were rescued from this deception and now attend a sound and Biblical church that has been such a blessing to our family. Every week, the elders preach the Word of God with such conviction and clarity, and are unashamed about the gospel. Although we finally feel &ldquo;safe,&rdquo; we know that these men of God are susceptible to the same temptations as we are, and instead of growing comfortable or letting our guard down, we must fiercely pray for the men in our lives who teach God&rsquo;s Holy Word because Satan has put a giant target on their backs. The enemy knows how much damage can be done to the Body of Christ if God&rsquo;s Word is abused or distorted, but the same is true for the carriers of that message; A teacher&rsquo;s life is held to a higher standard because the Lord uses teachers to help us understand who He is. The weighty responsibility and calling of bringing truth to the sheep of God is one no one should have to bear alone. Let us shoulder Kingdom responsibility with our elders by making it a priority to daily pray for the teachers and pastors who have much influence on our spiritual well-being.&nbsp;
In the age we live in, we can know personal details of public figures very quickly and easily. It seems there is always a new Christian leader who has given in to fleshly temptation and taken advantage of the trust of their sheep. When you discover this shocking news of another moral failing, are you tempted to harden your heart or grow cynical towards the church? It should cause us heartache and wake us up to the reality that the enemy wants to cause destruction among God&rsquo;s people. These moral failings cause distrust among sheep, but they also hurt our witness to the world when they see the hypocrisy and corruption within the visible church.
We must ask the Lord to give us a burden to pray for church leaders, but more importantly, the leaders of our very own church who have given their lives to shepherd souls and teach others about God and His ways. We are called to make disciples and need to be equipped by God&rsquo;s Word to do that. God has called teachers and pastors to a higher standard to equip the Body for the work of the ministry by teaching us what God&rsquo;s Word says. May we be quick to lift them up every day, knowing the seriousness of their high calling as teachers of God&rsquo;s Holy Word, and thank the Lord for their role in your life personally, as someone who keeps watch over your soul.&nbsp;
Further Reading:
1 Timothy 3:1-13
Titus 1:7-9
1 Peter 5:1-4

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

The High Standard of Church Leaders

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/cc7db8f6-96c5-4a47-b068-b45e01343b7c/transcript