James 4.11-12
_11 Brothers, do not
slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him
speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are
not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 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?
Once more, we must guide our interpretation of the passage
by understanding its context which begins in the prior chapter discussing God’s
pure wisdom & mankind’s corrupted wisdom (wisdom in this sense is similar
to “expertise”). As in the other
passages we’ve discussed, we’re getting at the issue of whose standard is being
used. More specifically, it is our
standard of wisdom which governs our attitude & behavior – for better or
for worse. Apparently, James was
addressing this source of conflict amongst his audience & this is the setup for
chapter 4:
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. – Jas 3.14-18
James then instructs us to draw near to God with an attitude of humility. Otherwise we will give way to selfish motives that lead to slander which is speaking against or accusing someone else. And this is where our passage comes in. The lesson is not to abandon “judging” altogether, but judging that is based on the “wisdom” of our selfish sin nature which will automatically put us at odds with others & be the basis for slander. This basis is what is against God’s law; hence the reason why God is the only One who can judge with completely pure motives. Yet, it is entirely possible (& Biblical) to judge behavior using Godly wisdom based on God’s law, all the while keeping a watchful eye on our own sinful motives.
In a balanced understanding of this passage, theologian Matthew Henry (1662-1714) commented (emphasis added): “We are cautioned against the sin of slander (Jas 4.11). We must not speak evil things of others, though they may be true, unless there is some necessary occasion for it; much less must we report evil things when they are false. Our lips must be guided by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice.”
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” – 1 Sam 16.7
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. – Jas 3.14-18
James then instructs us to draw near to God with an attitude of humility. Otherwise we will give way to selfish motives that lead to slander which is speaking against or accusing someone else. And this is where our passage comes in. The lesson is not to abandon “judging” altogether, but judging that is based on the “wisdom” of our selfish sin nature which will automatically put us at odds with others & be the basis for slander. This basis is what is against God’s law; hence the reason why God is the only One who can judge with completely pure motives. Yet, it is entirely possible (& Biblical) to judge behavior using Godly wisdom based on God’s law, all the while keeping a watchful eye on our own sinful motives.
In a balanced understanding of this passage, theologian Matthew Henry (1662-1714) commented (emphasis added): “We are cautioned against the sin of slander (Jas 4.11). We must not speak evil things of others, though they may be true, unless there is some necessary occasion for it; much less must we report evil things when they are false. Our lips must be guided by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice.”
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” – 1 Sam 16.7
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