God’s View on Criticism and Condemnation

A man was applying for the job of private secretary to Winston Churchill. Before introducing him, an aunt of Churchill’s told the man, “Remember, you will see all of Winston’s faults in the first five hours. It will take you a lifetime to discover his virtues

Need Element:

Everyone struggles with criticizing and condemning others. From the white house to the church house, this is a significant problem in our country. Let me ask you an honest question: how many of you have ever criticized someone? In our time together this morning, I want to help us change our reaction by looking at God’s view of criticism and condemnation.

Big Idea:

An authentic believer does not criticize or condemn another believer!

Interrogative:

Why shouldn’t we slander and condemn others?

Outline|

Criticism and condemnation causes us to disobey God’s word by not applying His word to our lives (vv. 11)

Explanation:

Two concepts permeate this passage: 1) the idea of slanderous speech, and 2) condemnatory speech. The phrase speak evil suggests any type of speech that slanders or criticizes another person. A form of this word is used three times in verse 11. Anytime you see a concept repeated numerous times, you need to take note of it because it’s essential. The word judgeth denotes the idea of condemning something or someone. A form of this word is used five times in verses 11-12. James opens with a direct prohibition against slandering or criticizing another brother and sister in Christ—“Brothers and sister, do not speak evil of one another” (, Greek). He provides the reason why we shouldn’t criticize or condemn a fellow brother or sister in Christ: “the one who speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law” (, Greek). reads: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The act of criticizing or condemning a fellow brother or sister means that we believe that we know better than God by determining which parts of the word that apply to us and which law does not apply to us. The concept of judging the law suggests the idea of deciding for ourselves what portions of the Bible we are going to live out and which portions we are going to leave behind. The Bible is not a buffet where you get to decide which items you are going to eat or leave behind for someone else. Every word, principle, and precept of this book applies to your life! You and I do not get to choose who we love, we are simply told to love ALL people with the same intensity that we love ourselves! James evaluates this person: “if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge” (, Greek). When we criticize or condemn a fellow brother or sister, we make a choice to disobey God’s word and criticize God’s creation. reads: “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker.”

James 4:11b KJV 1900

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Illustration:

Thanksgiving meal at the church: I got to choose what I wanted to eat and what I didn’t want to eat.

Application:

Do you always criticize and condemn other church members? If so, you have sinned against God and that person. First, you need to ask God to forgive you. Next, you need to go to that person you talked about and seek forgiveness. Thirdly, you need to go to that person that you talked to about that other person and seek forgiveness. Finally, you need to live out the word by loving others with the same intensity as you love yourself.

Criticism and condemnation causes us to usurp the authority of God by assuming his role as judge (vv. 12)

Explanation:

James continues by making a visible statement about God: “there is only one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and destroy” (, Greek). Who is the giver of the Law? The obvious answer is God. Who is the righteous judge? Once again, the obvious answer is God. Who has the power to save us from our sins? Ok, I know this seen obvious but God. Who can destroy all things? Once again, the obvious answer is God. Only God can do the things that James alludes too. At this point, James asks a very pointed question: “who are you to judge another believer” (, TR). Another text reads: “who are you to judge your neighbor” (, NA28th). Well, the obvious answer is that we do not have the right to judge another person. When we judge another person or believer, we usurp the authority of God by assuming his role as a judge. Thus, we remove God from his rightful place only to place ourselves in His spot because we think that we know better than God. We need to remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother” ().

James 4:12a KJV 1900

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Illustration:

When you write a paper for a class, your paper is graded based upon the overarching principals of the rubric. Thus, your teacher/professor uses that rubric to grade your paper-based upon those principles.

Application:

Do you condemn other believers? If so, you need to seek forgiveness from God. Next, you need to place God back upon his rightful spot as Lord of Lord and King of Kings.

Conclusion/Application|

Reiteration:

We have seen that criticism and condemnation causes us to disobey God and usurp his position as judge.

Action:

I want you to encourage you to do two things: 1) when someone comes to you with a word of criticism and condemnation about another believer, you need to tell that they need to talk to that person instead of talking about another person and 2) when you use a word of criticism and condemnation about another believer, you need to seek forgiveness from all parties

Appeal:

If God has spoken to your heart, would you respond to him this morning?

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