When we look at that vs 1 of James, we saw that he was not despising teaching and preaching or correcting others, but is emphasizing the fact that anybody who teaches others should expect stricter judgment compared with the student.
(JAMES 3:1-8) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison
He is assumed to know better and therefor, should behave better, teaching in the church carries a heavy responsibility and should not be entered into lightly.
There is also an African adage that says, it is better to be born a cripple than to be born with a “crippled” tongue, when growing up I was in a community that parents freely curse their children, such like ‘you will never do well’ and truly, their children hardly make good progress in life.
Thank God my parents were not so, we were never cursed by them instead they blessed us daily even when we hurt them, I’m reaping the fruit of their blessings today.
Know that it is only God that can fully transform our tongues, a salt spring does not produce fresh water because that is its nature.
Similarly, unless a person is transform by Christ, we can expect noting good from his mouth, what kind of comments do you make about your children or other people around you? How many have come back to thank you for encouraging them?