Judge

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?”

Main Point: All men are equal under the one Judge.

Immediate context: Turning away from sin both outwardly and inwardly (James 4:8)

repeated word — speak katalaleo: to speak evil of

OT condemnation of slander as wickedness (Lev. 19:16; Ps. 15:3; Ps. 50:19-20; Jer. 6:28; 9:4; Rom. 1:30)

NT condemnation of slander (Matt. 15:19-20; 18:6; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1Pet. 2:1)

The Command: Do not slander one another, BROTHERS

Reminder that we are all brothers and children of God united by the blood of Christ and faith in Him (John 1:12)

To slander is to treat one another as less than brothers, as condemn

Slander leads to destruction of relationships (Prov. 17:9; 18:8) and people (Prov. 11:9; Isa. 32:7), and degradation to becoming a fool (Prov. 10:18)

It is ultimately an act of unlove:

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 16: The Blasphemous Sin of Defaming Others (James 4:11–12)

to mindless, thoughtless, careless, critical, derogatory, untrue speech directed against others.

What happens when one slanders a brother:

judge the believer — condemnation as if there is no more need to prove one’s innocence

drastic action for course correction (Matt 18:8-9)

remind that brethren are also children of God (Matt 18:10)

judge the Law — God’s sole command is to love Him first then one’s neighbor

since slander is unloving, it goes against God’s love commandments, deeming them unworthy to be followed

disrespecting God’s law is blasphemy against Him

Gleanings

Slander is not just speaking ill or falsehoods but is not loving brethren and ultimately not loving God. (Matt 22:37-40)

Avoiding slander is to think about how slander is not loving God. This will ultimately bring about success that matters — obedience unto God (Josh 1:8)

Reflect!

Have I ever stop to think about how my ill thoughts against brethren affect how my actual love for God is proven?