Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.
Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.
When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.
But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:11-12
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
We may have heard that we should not be critical of one another in church, or that we should not ‘judge’ one another.
But do we know what it really means, or why this is such a grave sin?
In his continued endeavor to ensure the Church’s integrity in seamlessly living out our faith, James addresses a fundamental principle and problem that we all struggle with when it comes to our relationships within the faith community.
We slander one another. We speak against one another. And we judge one another.
It is all the same thing. It is all sin.
In the context of the fellowship of Believers, it is clear that James identifies ‘slander’ with speaking against the other, and even passing judgment upon one another. In doing so, he helps us eliminate all doubts of any difference of whether the act of slander, or judgment, is overtly expressed, or secretly kept in our hearts.
Further study of the basis of ‘slander’ suggests ‘speaking down’ to the other in hostility, ‘to speak evil of’, ‘to back-bite’ or even to be ‘critical of’.
Thus, to imbue a critical spirit towards a brother or a sister in Christ is sin, regardless if it was outwardly expressed, or inwardly impressed.
At times, we are all guilty of slander; we are all guilty of speaking against one another; and we are all guilty of passing judgment against one another.
We need to confess and repent of the sin of judgment and imbuing a critical and destructive spirit.
We need to return to the foundations of what it means to be church.
We need to be restored unto the image of God in whom we have all been created from; and from there, replace our fallen state where selfishness and sin reigns, with the expressions of God’s sovereign and transcendent love towards one another.
However, when we consider briefly the biblical stance on judgment, things may quickly become confusing for most of us.
Speaking to our impulse to judge, Christ concludes His teaching in Matthew 7:5 saying,
‘You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’
Does Christ forbid us to judge?
It depends.
If you are able to remove the ‘plank’ from your own eye, which depicts the onerous but necessary task of first subjecting yourself to God’s judgment, Christ alludes to the possibility that you may ‘help’ to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
The big question that presupposes this possibility is, "are you honestly able to remove the plank in your own eye?"
Honestly, given our sinful nature, this is an impossible task.
Even so, the motive behind 'removing the speck' is to genuinely come to the aid of another; not merely for the superfluous task of pointing out the speck, or more pertinently, finding fault with another.
In 1 Corinthians 6:2-5, the Apostle Paul speaks to judgment as well,
‘Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?
I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?’
Here, Paul insists that we are competent to judge disputes between believers, more so than those outside of the Church; especially when believers subject themselves to the laws of the world, when their ‘Christian’ way of life should rightfully transcend the ways of the world.
James, on the other hand, speaks to judgments of the critical nature, the kind that advances your own self-serving, personal agenda, or influence, whilst putting down, or speaking evil, of another in the church.
So what’s the real deal with judgment?
Is there a theological conundrum when it comes to judgments?
Not at all; especially when we take the effort to understand God’s heart in this matter.
In order to develop a sound theology of judgment, we must begin from the rudiments of ‘judgments’.
There are two kinds of judgments:
There are three components in every judgment:
In order to pronounce judgment, a Judge must take a case and measure it against a standard.
A proper judgment happens when there is a proper standard, a proper case, and a proper Judge.
In our case,
On the other hand, an improper judgment happens when
Hence, when James alludes to the reality that ‘anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it… for when you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it’, he is saying that when one speaks against another, one has passed an improper judgment on that person, because in passing judgment, you are actually judging a law in which you had no right to judge to begin with, and as such, have broken the very laws you have presumably tried to keep.
And so, to judge improperly is to sin against God.
Why is this so?
1. To judge improperly is to place oneself above the laws of God.
To place yourself above God’s law is to pass judgment on His laws and inevitably reject God’s laws, and formulate your own.
To formulate your own set of law means that you will cease to keep God’s laws and cease to become a ‘doer’ of God’s law
Christ’s instructions on God’s laws - as we have covered earlier is clear - love the Lord your God; and with the same love, love your neighbor as yourself.
How does God want us to relate to His laws?
God wants us to know it, keep it, do it and live it.
2. To judge improperly is to place yourself above God.
“Who are you to judge your neighbor?”
In considering the three components of judgment, we have to judiciously ask ourselves,
When I pronounce judgment on my brother or sister in Christ, do I have:
Who are you to place ourselves above God?
Who are you – to judge your neighbour?
On every account, we begin to realize the graveness of our sin when we judge improperly.
But what if I think that my judgment is justified? What if I feel strongly that my judgment is proper?
To this, James destroys that possibility with this valiant declaration,
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.
But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
What James is simply telling us is that, our judgments will never be proper because we are not Christ.
Our ‘judgments’ – no matter how justified we think they are – will never be justified.
When we judge, we speak against the laws of God and judge it.
Who are we to do so?
Common sense would tell us that it is a grave sin to speak against or even judge the laws of God; but uncommon sense would tell us that when we do so, we are not only going against law of God, we are going against the God of the law.
Therefore, when we speak evil of, or judge one another, the only possible conclusion drawn is that we put ourselves above the law of God, and above the God of the Law.
So, what are our chances of judging properly?
Nil.
We have absolutely no chance of that; especially when we consider our total depravity as we recall Romans 3:10-12…. …
10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
So, the big question for us today is -
How then should we respond if there are clearly grievances, and trespasses between believers in church?
Our response would be as we’ve covered last week from James 4:7-10:
To this, James exhorts, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Here, James fleshes out for us this posture of humility.
When you are in conflict with someone in church, reserve our judgment. I am not saying to suppress your emotions. Fully express your emotions to the Lord, and be vigilant that in your expressions, you do not judge your brother or sister, for the Lord Jesus Christ is the only worthy and ultimate Judge.
You may have be sinned against, but be very careful that in your anger, disappointment and grief, you do not sin against God.
So do not judge, because in our fallen state, we are not capable of proper judgment.
Besides, what is the point of judging another, when we are in no position to enforce our judgments?
That is why Christ is the sole authority in judgements, for He is the one who is able to save and destroy.
And so, how should we understand our biblical responsibilities as far as 'judgments' go?
As we humble ourselves before God and endeavour to reserve judgment against a fellow believer, we must still nevertheless:
The ability to judge is not the same as the authority to judge. Never confuse the two, and never cross the line. It is the line that separates the humble and the proud.
And we all know that God does with the proud.
That’s right.
He opposes them.
Even if your brethren has grieved or wronged you, reserve judgment.
Humble yourself before the Lord. Commit your circumstance into His hands, and He will raise you up.
Plain and simple.
Paul explains to us why this reality is so critical for us as Christ’s disciples.
Christ is the culmination of the law so that there
may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)
To know and keep the law of God, is to know and keep Christ; and to know and keep Christ in our hearts and in our lives is believing that His ways are far higher than ours, that His truth sets us free from the bondages of sin and shame, and that His life reveals to us the foretaste of eternal living.
Do you believe that Christ is the only Way, Truth and Life? That only through Him and His commandments do we prepare ourselves for New Creation?
Christ was once asked,
‘“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”’ (Matthew 22:36-40)
If we truly understand Christ’s words here, it begins to be clear the moment we judge another believer; that we break the Lord’s command to love our neighbor, as we love ourselves, and, His command to love the Lord our God.
In fact, a careful reading of this passage reveals Christ’s use of the exact same Greek word for ‘love’ (Gk: Agapēseis – a love affection that embraces God’s will and chooses to love the way He does ) in these two overarching commandments that frame all the Law and the Prophets.
The theological implication is that - the love we have for our God, ought to be the same love we have for our neighbors, and for ourselves.
To love one another in the faith community is to actively reserve judgment and simultaneously release forgiveness to those who have trespassed against us.
This is definitely not an easy precept to live by, and to live out; but such is the cost of true Christian discipleship – for to live is Christ.
In a world where slander and improper judgments are ubiquitous, tolerated and even condoned, this biblical precept of actively reserving judgment within the fellowship of believers would certainly become an expression and evangelization of God’s irresistible grace and love to the world.
And this is precisely that which our Lord Jesus Christ commanded of us, His disciples:
“A new command I give you:
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who have trespassed against me.
Forgive me for the times when I slandered, or spoken against, and judged a fellow believer.
I acknowledge that when I pronounced judgment upon a fellow believer, I have sinned against You.
Thank you for revealing this grave sin in my life. Forgive me, my God!
Holy Spirit, please grant me the wisdom and resolve to know and keep the Laws of God, to know the distinction between good and evil, and the courage to approve what is righteous in Your eyes and to reject what is wrong.
Holy Spirit, I ask that You would likewise frustrate my efforts when I am about to cross the line between having the ability to judge, into thinking that I have the authority to judge, because I understand that this is the same line that separates the humble and the proud.
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that You are the only, true Judge of all mankind; for You have earned this authority through Your sacrificial love for us, by becoming sin in our place, and dying on the Cross at Calvary.
May I never be found placing myself above the Laws of God; and may I most certainly never be found placing myself above You, my God.
Teach me to love Your church as You did, to actively reserve judgment, and to simultaneously release forgiveness to those who have trespassed against me, for such is Your expression of unreserved love towards us.
I pray that by this, the world will know that we are Your disciples.
In the Name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I give thanks and pray. Amen.
Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.
When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.
But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:11-12
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
We may have heard that we should not be critical of one another in church, or that we should not ‘judge’ one another.
But do we know what it really means, or why this is such a grave sin?
In his continued endeavor to ensure the Church’s integrity in seamlessly living out our faith, James addresses a fundamental principle and problem that we all struggle with when it comes to our relationships within the faith community.
We slander one another. We speak against one another. And we judge one another.
It is all the same thing. It is all sin.
In the context of the fellowship of Believers, it is clear that James identifies ‘slander’ with speaking against the other, and even passing judgment upon one another. In doing so, he helps us eliminate all doubts of any difference of whether the act of slander, or judgment, is overtly expressed, or secretly kept in our hearts.
Further study of the basis of ‘slander’ suggests ‘speaking down’ to the other in hostility, ‘to speak evil of’, ‘to back-bite’ or even to be ‘critical of’.
Thus, to imbue a critical spirit towards a brother or a sister in Christ is sin, regardless if it was outwardly expressed, or inwardly impressed.
At times, we are all guilty of slander; we are all guilty of speaking against one another; and we are all guilty of passing judgment against one another.
We need to confess and repent of the sin of judgment and imbuing a critical and destructive spirit.
We need to return to the foundations of what it means to be church.
We need to be restored unto the image of God in whom we have all been created from; and from there, replace our fallen state where selfishness and sin reigns, with the expressions of God’s sovereign and transcendent love towards one another.
However, when we consider briefly the biblical stance on judgment, things may quickly become confusing for most of us.
Speaking to our impulse to judge, Christ concludes His teaching in Matthew 7:5 saying,
‘You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’
Does Christ forbid us to judge?
It depends.
If you are able to remove the ‘plank’ from your own eye, which depicts the onerous but necessary task of first subjecting yourself to God’s judgment, Christ alludes to the possibility that you may ‘help’ to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
The big question that presupposes this possibility is, "are you honestly able to remove the plank in your own eye?"
Honestly, given our sinful nature, this is an impossible task.
Even so, the motive behind 'removing the speck' is to genuinely come to the aid of another; not merely for the superfluous task of pointing out the speck, or more pertinently, finding fault with another.
In 1 Corinthians 6:2-5, the Apostle Paul speaks to judgment as well,
‘Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?
I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?’
Here, Paul insists that we are competent to judge disputes between believers, more so than those outside of the Church; especially when believers subject themselves to the laws of the world, when their ‘Christian’ way of life should rightfully transcend the ways of the world.
James, on the other hand, speaks to judgments of the critical nature, the kind that advances your own self-serving, personal agenda, or influence, whilst putting down, or speaking evil, of another in the church.
So what’s the real deal with judgment?
Is there a theological conundrum when it comes to judgments?
Not at all; especially when we take the effort to understand God’s heart in this matter.
In order to develop a sound theology of judgment, we must begin from the rudiments of ‘judgments’.
There are two kinds of judgments:
- proper judgment; and
- improper judgment.
There are three components in every judgment:
- A Standard;
- A Case; and
- A Judge.
In order to pronounce judgment, a Judge must take a case and measure it against a standard.
A proper judgment happens when there is a proper standard, a proper case, and a proper Judge.
In our case,
- the Proper standard – is the Word of God;
- a Proper case – comprises of all the facts/truths;
- the Proper Judge is one who is given the right to judge
On the other hand, an improper judgment happens when
- No standard or an improper standard is used;
- The case is improper – it does not comprise of facts or all the facts, and
- The ‘Judge’ had no right to judge (i.e. none of his/her business in the first place)
Hence, when James alludes to the reality that ‘anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it… for when you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it’, he is saying that when one speaks against another, one has passed an improper judgment on that person, because in passing judgment, you are actually judging a law in which you had no right to judge to begin with, and as such, have broken the very laws you have presumably tried to keep.
And so, to judge improperly is to sin against God.
Why is this so?
1. To judge improperly is to place oneself above the laws of God.
To place yourself above God’s law is to pass judgment on His laws and inevitably reject God’s laws, and formulate your own.
To formulate your own set of law means that you will cease to keep God’s laws and cease to become a ‘doer’ of God’s law
Christ’s instructions on God’s laws - as we have covered earlier is clear - love the Lord your God; and with the same love, love your neighbor as yourself.
How does God want us to relate to His laws?
God wants us to know it, keep it, do it and live it.
2. To judge improperly is to place yourself above God.
“Who are you to judge your neighbor?”
In considering the three components of judgment, we have to judiciously ask ourselves,
When I pronounce judgment on my brother or sister in Christ, do I have:
- The proper standard?
- A proper case?
- The authority and right to be a proper Judge
Who are you to place ourselves above God?
Who are you – to judge your neighbour?
On every account, we begin to realize the graveness of our sin when we judge improperly.
But what if I think that my judgment is justified? What if I feel strongly that my judgment is proper?
To this, James destroys that possibility with this valiant declaration,
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.
But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
What James is simply telling us is that, our judgments will never be proper because we are not Christ.
Our ‘judgments’ – no matter how justified we think they are – will never be justified.
When we judge, we speak against the laws of God and judge it.
Who are we to do so?
Common sense would tell us that it is a grave sin to speak against or even judge the laws of God; but uncommon sense would tell us that when we do so, we are not only going against law of God, we are going against the God of the law.
Therefore, when we speak evil of, or judge one another, the only possible conclusion drawn is that we put ourselves above the law of God, and above the God of the Law.
So, what are our chances of judging properly?
Nil.
We have absolutely no chance of that; especially when we consider our total depravity as we recall Romans 3:10-12…. …
10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
So, the big question for us today is -
How then should we respond if there are clearly grievances, and trespasses between believers in church?
Our response would be as we’ve covered last week from James 4:7-10:
- Come near to God;
- Consecrate yourself;
- Commit the circumstances to the Will of God.
To this, James exhorts, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Here, James fleshes out for us this posture of humility.
When you are in conflict with someone in church, reserve our judgment. I am not saying to suppress your emotions. Fully express your emotions to the Lord, and be vigilant that in your expressions, you do not judge your brother or sister, for the Lord Jesus Christ is the only worthy and ultimate Judge.
You may have be sinned against, but be very careful that in your anger, disappointment and grief, you do not sin against God.
So do not judge, because in our fallen state, we are not capable of proper judgment.
Besides, what is the point of judging another, when we are in no position to enforce our judgments?
That is why Christ is the sole authority in judgements, for He is the one who is able to save and destroy.
And so, how should we understand our biblical responsibilities as far as 'judgments' go?
As we humble ourselves before God and endeavour to reserve judgment against a fellow believer, we must still nevertheless:
- Be able to judge.
The ability to judge is not the same as the authority to judge. Never confuse the two, and never cross the line. It is the line that separates the humble and the proud.
And we all know that God does with the proud.
That’s right.
He opposes them.
Even if your brethren has grieved or wronged you, reserve judgment.
Humble yourself before the Lord. Commit your circumstance into His hands, and He will raise you up.
- Be an advocate for the Judge
Plain and simple.
Paul explains to us why this reality is so critical for us as Christ’s disciples.
Christ is the culmination of the law so that there
may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)
To know and keep the law of God, is to know and keep Christ; and to know and keep Christ in our hearts and in our lives is believing that His ways are far higher than ours, that His truth sets us free from the bondages of sin and shame, and that His life reveals to us the foretaste of eternal living.
Do you believe that Christ is the only Way, Truth and Life? That only through Him and His commandments do we prepare ourselves for New Creation?
Christ was once asked,
‘“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”’ (Matthew 22:36-40)
If we truly understand Christ’s words here, it begins to be clear the moment we judge another believer; that we break the Lord’s command to love our neighbor, as we love ourselves, and, His command to love the Lord our God.
In fact, a careful reading of this passage reveals Christ’s use of the exact same Greek word for ‘love’ (Gk: Agapēseis – a love affection that embraces God’s will and chooses to love the way He does ) in these two overarching commandments that frame all the Law and the Prophets.
The theological implication is that - the love we have for our God, ought to be the same love we have for our neighbors, and for ourselves.
To love one another in the faith community is to actively reserve judgment and simultaneously release forgiveness to those who have trespassed against us.
This is definitely not an easy precept to live by, and to live out; but such is the cost of true Christian discipleship – for to live is Christ.
In a world where slander and improper judgments are ubiquitous, tolerated and even condoned, this biblical precept of actively reserving judgment within the fellowship of believers would certainly become an expression and evangelization of God’s irresistible grace and love to the world.
And this is precisely that which our Lord Jesus Christ commanded of us, His disciples:
“A new command I give you:
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who have trespassed against me.
Forgive me for the times when I slandered, or spoken against, and judged a fellow believer.
I acknowledge that when I pronounced judgment upon a fellow believer, I have sinned against You.
Thank you for revealing this grave sin in my life. Forgive me, my God!
Holy Spirit, please grant me the wisdom and resolve to know and keep the Laws of God, to know the distinction between good and evil, and the courage to approve what is righteous in Your eyes and to reject what is wrong.
Holy Spirit, I ask that You would likewise frustrate my efforts when I am about to cross the line between having the ability to judge, into thinking that I have the authority to judge, because I understand that this is the same line that separates the humble and the proud.
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that You are the only, true Judge of all mankind; for You have earned this authority through Your sacrificial love for us, by becoming sin in our place, and dying on the Cross at Calvary.
May I never be found placing myself above the Laws of God; and may I most certainly never be found placing myself above You, my God.
Teach me to love Your church as You did, to actively reserve judgment, and to simultaneously release forgiveness to those who have trespassed against me, for such is Your expression of unreserved love towards us.
I pray that by this, the world will know that we are Your disciples.
In the Name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I give thanks and pray. Amen.