Week 7 - James 4:11-12

Echoing Jesus, James expands on the following in this week’s passage (James 4:11-12):

Matthew 7:1-2

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

James explains in very direct terms that condemning a brother declares the Law of Liberty somehow insufficient. When we declare our brother guilty we are judging the efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ, that has made them free of guilt. 

James 4:11

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

To speak evil (katalaleō) of a person, rightly or wrongly, accuses them. In our passage, they, being a brother, are free of guilt so it can be rightly translated “slander” as the NIV has done. 

James goes on to speak of the non-believer:

James 4:12

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

We all remember the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).  In it we are taught that a neighbor can be anyone of any faith or any nationality.  We are told not to judge them for a different reason. Simply, that we are not God. They may be dead in their sins, but is is not our position to judge. 

Yes there are positions of authority (Employer, teacher, elder, magistrate) that have the task of judging according to their respective standard.  This passage speaks to relationships outside those spheres, where we stand only on the level ground before the throne of God. 

In those relationships, we have one response:

1 Peter 3:16

having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

These two verses are tied together by the word behavior/conduct (anastrophē). It is the busyness of life, the “fog of war” one might say. 

Folks, let’s make sure our conduct is full of meekness to the next person, brother or not.