The Weekly Perspective
by TJ Draper, Deacon
One of the recurring themes that the apostle James returns to several times in his epistle is the sinful nature of the human tongue.
In 4:11–12, he specifically deals with brothers who speak evil of one another. This tendency to speak evil of each other has deep roots in mankind’s sinful nature. Adam spoke evil of his wife, Cain spoke evil of his brother, Miriam and Aaron spoke evil against Moses, Korah spoke evil against Moses and Aaron, Sanballat and Tobiah Slandered Nehemiah… you get the idea. James is addressing a deep-rooted sin within the body.
James says that, “He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” (4:11b). And so in judging the law, they have ceased to be doers.
What is the summary of the law that Jesus gives? Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself. But when speaking evil of a brother, a Christian is speaking evil of this law, of Jesus’ words and Jesus’ commands — his is not loving his neighbor, his brother. And so in setting themselves up as judges of the law over and against each other, they have failed to do the law.
James goes on to say: “There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” (4:12). This should make believers very fearful of sitting in judgement of brothers, of speaking evil against those for whom Jesus has died.
So when you are tempted to speak evil of your brothers, remember instead that Judgement is Jesus’ job, not ours. We would be wise to keep this in mind and not attempt to usurp the role of God.