James 4:11-12

James 4:11–12 (NASB)

Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

1. Judging others is slander, speaking evil of brothers (v.11).

Scripture consistently and severely condemns judging others. What is judging? It is to speak evil of others.

2635. καταλαλέω katalaléō; contracted katalalṓ, fut. katalalḗsō, from katá (2596), against, and laléō (2980), to speak. To speak against, to speak evil of (James 4:11 ; 1 Pet. 2:12; 3:16).

“Speaking evil” means to criticize, judge, condemn another person. To tear down another person; to lower his/her image and reputation in the eyes of others. Usually means to talk about a person behind his/her back, when they are not present.

What is the context of this passage?

A brother has sinned, broken the law of God. He has failed and his failure is known and he is being judged and criticized for his failure. He is being talked about.

If we are forbidden to speak evil of a person who is actually guilty of sin, how much more are we forbidden to speak against a person just because we dislike or disagree with another?

The person who judges is just as guilty as the person who sins.

Why is one not to judge or speak evil of one another?

We are brothers and sisters, and brothers and sisters of Christ.

We are commanded to love, support, and build one another up, not to tear one another down.

Is there ever a spirit of evil speaking in a truly humble and loving person?

Question: How is judging others rebellion against God?

2. Judging others violates the law of God (v.11).

Talking about and slandering a brother is speaking evil of the law. Is there a royal law?

James makes reference to it in James 2:8

James 2:8 (ESV)

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

To speak evil, criticize another, causes one to become guilty of transgressing the great commandment to love God and love one another.

Matthew 22:34–40 (ESV)

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

The great commandment is the royal law. To speak evil and criticize another is to transgress the royal law of God …and to speak evil of the royal law itself. How is this so?

The law is not all that important, that it can be sometimes ignored, neglected, abused, and violated.

The person who talks about other is a double hypocrite. Why? He ignores the royal law and slanders others for their failure.

To speak evil of a brother or sister tears down the law of love.

How is the royal law fulfilled?

Galatians 5:14 (ESV)

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Question: What steps can one take to be less critical or uncritical of others?

3. Judging others sets one up as judge, as a lawgiver (v.11)

We judge the royal law when we choose ...

which laws are important and which laws are not so important

which laws are binding and which laws are not binding

which laws deserve our utmost attention and which laws do not deserve so much attention

which laws should be kept and which laws can occasionally be broken

When we choose what laws we will obey, we set ourselves up above the law of God. What is our role?

To obey the law, not to be judges of the law.

Romans 2:3 (ESV)

Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

Romans 2:13 (ESV)

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

All are guilty under the Law and need God’s mercy. But having received mercy does not qualify us as judges.

Question: How can being thankful for your salvation keep you from being critical?

4. Judging others usurps God’s right and authority (v.12).

James 4:12 (MSG)

God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

Is the above a good translation of James 4:12?

James 4:12 (HCSB)

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

James 4:12 (NKJV)

There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

James 4:12 (NLT)

God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

When we judge, criticize, and backbite our brothers and sisters, we usurp God’s right and role as judge. Do we have the right to sit and claim judgment upon our brothers and sisters?

Speaking evil of another destroys that person.

Their is only one person who is able to save and destory - God.

Are you able to know and judge the whole truth about a person?

All circumstances and all the facts are never fully known.

The spirit of talking to others (gossip) is the spirit of self-justification.? True or False? Why? or Why not?

Are any of us exempt or pure from sin?

1 John 1:8 (ESV)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:10 (ESV)

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

When we acknowledge our own true condition, we will act with care and compassion toward all who come short.

Our righteousness is in Christ, not ourselves (2 Cor 5:21; Ph. 3:8-16)

All there is to know about a person is never ever fully known. How then can we criticize?

Judging others usurps God’s authority. Are we worthy to be judge over another?

Matthew 7:1 (ESV)

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Question: Why is judging others such a prideful sin?