READ THE TEXT
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. 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?”
Ideally we would have included this in our previous study, as it is symptomatic of the Christian who has become self-absorbed. The evil speaking referred to here was undoubtedly a leading cause in the quarrels and fights which existed amongst brethren (see v. 1).
SPEAKING EVIL AGAINST ONE ANOTHER (vv. 11)
First notice that the outward problem is brethren speaking “evil against one another” (v. 11). The prohibition here is not bringing sin to a brother’s attention in the spirit of humility (see Gal. 6:1-2). To speak evil against another is to speak falsely, unfairly or in a slanderous way. When one impugns the motives of a brother or intentionally misrepresents him, he has spoken evil against his brother. Paul exhorts brethren to “strive together” (Rom. 15:10), not against one another! It is never justifiable to speak something that is evil against a brother or speak about a brother from some base or evil motive.
Peter uses a very similar expression in 1 Peter 2:12 where he says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” Peter warns that some will speak against Christians as if they were evil doers. Clearly this is “Gentile” behavior that children of God must not engage in!
THE IMPLICATIONS OF UNJUSTLY JUDGING BRETHREN (vv. 11-12)
To speak evil against, or unfairly judge or accuse a brother, is to speak “evil against and judge the law.” What law is James referring to? The royal law mentioned in 2:8 which says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If Christians are to love their neighbors, how much more their brethren? Ironically, the one who judges is actually the one who is violating God’s law. In fact, he has enthroned himself pretending to be the judge! Surely this reminds us of the scoundrel by the name of Diotrophes in the book of 3 John. He judged others to be unfit when he was the one in need of self-examination and humbling himself! We also think of the self-righteous Pharisee who gave thanks that he was not like the tax-collector! (see Lk. 18:9-14).
The truth is, when we place ourselves in the judgement seat, we take a seat that is only occupied by the Lord! We don’t determine what God’s law is, He already has. We certainly don’t distort His law and judge others by our own! God is the Judge! His Word is His standard!
OVERCOMING THIS SIN
If being judgmental of brethren (or others) is something you struggle with, you should look closely at the admonition that James gave previously in this chapter. All need to humble themselves before God (v. 6). All need to personally submit to God and draw near to him (v. 7). All need to mourn and correctly deal with their own sin and cleanse their own hearts (v. 8). Then, if truly need be, they will be in a position to remove the speck from their brother’s eye! (Mt. 7:3). It’s truly difficult to see clearly if we should have a beam in our own! (Mt. 7:4).
Our role is not that of judge or law giver, but of being “a doer of the law” (v. 11). If we have a proper view of ourself and our relationship with God and His will, speaking evil of our brother will not be a sin we continually struggle with.
Perhaps a fitting conclusion for our reflection is the question that James poses at the end of verse 12, followed by his tender appeal at the beginning of verse 11: “Who are you to judge your neighbor?”… “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.”
Daren Schroeder
