“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. 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?” (James 4:11-12). The following was a little conversation that went on in my mind as I read this text this morning:
“Do not slander one another . . .” Huh? A–Are you talking to me? No. You must have the wrong person! I’m a Christian. I don’t slander. I don’t judge others. Never. At least not out loud . . . or not very often! I wouldn’t think of speaking badly of–well–anyone! Of course, I don’t approve of their lifestyle, their language, their children, and I certainly wouldn’t want to attend their church. It’s just–well let’s just say they are “different”. They believe (or DON’T believe!) in the gifts of the Spirit. They believe (or DON’T believe!) in healing and modern miracles! They might not even worship God on the same day I do! Those poor, ignorant Christians! I’m not out to criticize them! I’m out to bring them into all truth! If only someone would enlighten them to the truth! Oh. Do you mean to tell me that this is judging? Surely NOT! Besides. What harm am I really doing? I am only trying to HELP THEM! Excuse me? What was that? “Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it . . .” Bu–But surely you don’t mean that if I say–or think–something against someone or against something that he believes, that I am speaking against or judging the law! How could this be? I am trying to teach them to keep the law. I’m trying to lead them into all truth . . . But this text does seem to indicate that by judging someone else, I am judging the law . . . And The Bible also says that it is the Holy Spirit who is responsible for leading us into all truth (John 16:13) . . . Then there’s also that quote that labels Jesus–a person!–as truth (John 14:6). . . “When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” Now I’m really getting concerned. By being critical, I am speaking against and judging the law, and by judging the law, I, who am critical of others for not keeping the law, am NOT keeping it myself! This is starting to sound like I’m picking at speck in my brothers eye when there is a plank in my own! And we all know what Jesus said about that: “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Luke 6:42) — But Lord, all I was trying to do was to point out where they aren’t keeping God’s law! I never intended to judge the law, and I certainly didn’t desire to break the law! How can this be? “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matt 22:39-40) I see. I’m beginning to get the picture. When I am critical of others, I am not showing them love. Thus I am breaking the 2nd greatest commandment. But more than this, I am promoting myself to the level of Judge. I take on the God-given task of the Holy Spirit, and I, in my ignorance, try to teach them truth, when truth isn’t even about law and doctrine. When I take Judgment in my own hands, I am stating that I am better than the one who wrote the law. I am stating that I know more than the Master Judge. But: “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy . . .” Bottom line? This verse tells me that when I criticize others in any way, a) I am breaking the law (by not loving my brother); b) I am setting myself up in the place of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit; and c) in effect, I am criticizing God. Oh boy! That’s heavy!!! Lord God, give me the ability to leave judgment–in ALL it’s forms!–COMPLETELY in YOUR hands! Only You, the Master Lawgiver, the Master Judge, have the right to judge! Lord God, give me the ability to pray for my fellow mankind, ever loving them as I would love myself, but ever trusting YOU to instruct them in the way they should go, to lead them into all TRUTH!
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.scripturalnuggets.org ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org