James 4:11-12

Passage

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters.  The one who speaks evil against his brother or who judges his brother speaks evil of the Law and judges the Law.  And if you judge the Law, then you are not a doer of the Law but a judge.  There is one lawgiver and judge who is powerful enough to save and to destroy.  And are you one who judges the neighbor?

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

James now talks about those who speak evil against a Christian brother or sister.  Remember what Jesus taught us.  The whole of the Law can be summed up in two statements: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.  When we speak evil about our neighbor, we are essentially saying that we don’t need to obey this Law.  We slander the Law when we speak evilly about others.  We are essentially putting ourselves in a position to believe that we are no longer accountable to God’s ways.  No, the Christian is the one who is obedient to God’s ways.  The Christian is the one who instead of slandering their brother or sister goes to them and tries to help them correct what they may have done wrong.

Why do we often choose to slander those with whom we disagree?  Why is it easier to speak criticism in an evil tone that in a constructive tone?

Second Thought:

James makes a clear distinction between judge over the Law and doer of the Law.  One tries to sit above the Law and pick and choose what is right.  The other sits under the Law and tries to do what is right.  The ones who try to stand over the Law feel no need to live according to it.  {That wasn’t meant as a critique on our national government, but if the shoe fits…}  James is arguing that the better place for us is to be under the Law – in terms of deed, not salvation, of course.  In terms of our thoughts and deeds, we need that structure and framework around us to help us choose godliness and righteousness.

What happens to people when they judge the Law and put themselves outside of the Law?  Where in your life could you use a little more of the structure that comes through God’s ways?

Third Thought:

James makes a quick and blunt point here in the end of these verses.  There is one person who is powerful to be both the lawgiver and the one who judges the Law.  That same person is also the only one who is powerful enough to save and destroy.  Now comes the blunt part.  If you are not even capable of judging your neighbor, how can you –or I – ever hope to stand in a position of judgment over the Law?  The truth is that if we cannot even accurately judge someone we should know, how can we possibly judge the Law or all those under the Law?  We can’t.  We need to learn our place.  It is not our place to judge the Law – or our neighbor.  It is our place to submit to God’s ways and do them.

Have you ever tried to judge the Law?  Why do we try and judge what God has placed around us?

Passage for Tomorrow: James 4:13-17