James 4:11,12

JUDGING OUR BRETHREN

Text 4:11-12

11.

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

12.

One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?

Questions

336.

If a brother has sin, does James 4:11 forbid speaking against that sin?

337.

What about the law would protect a brother from being spoken against?

338.

What law is referred to? (Read the context before answering.)

339.

What relation exists between speaking against and judging?

340.

Would the particular defamation forbidden in James 4:11-12 also be forbidden in dealing with the non-Christian? Why single out the brother in particular?

341.

In what way is our relationship with a Christian different than our relationship with a non-Christian?

342.

When one goes through life and is unaware of this difference in relationship is there something wrong? If so, what?

343.

In what way could judging the brother be said to be judging the law?

344.

Name some ways, other than judging the brother, in which a man can set himself up as a judge of the law.

345.

Who is the one lawgiver and judge in James 4:12?

346.

In what way could James 4:12 be said to be an admonition to search the Scriptures to see what God wants us to do?

347.

How can you harmonize the proper rebuke of sin and correction of brethren (Titus 1:13; James 5:19-20) with James 4:11-12?

348.

Is there any difference in referring to the judgment God makes and in pronouncing the judgment one's self?

349.

What is the relationship between James 4:11-12 and James 4:1?

350.

How could this kind of judgment referred to in 11, 12, engender strife and contention?

Paraphrases

A. James 4:11.

Stop speaking evil of your brother, and slandering him! For he that slanders a brother, thus judging him, is actually slandering the Word of God that forbids such judgment. A person that slanders, or judges, the Word of God is acting like a lawgiver instead of a lawkeeper.

12.

There really is only one lawgiver and judge: for it is only God who is able save or destroy for eternity. Puny man! Who do you think you are when you act like you were God in judging your brother and God's word?

B.*James 4:11.

Don-'t criticize and speak evil about each other, dear brothers. If you do, you will be fighting against God's law of loving one another, declaring it is wrong. But your job is to obey the law, not to decide whether it is right or wrong.

12.

And He alone, Who made the law, can rightly judge among us. He alone decides to save us or destroy. So what right do we have to judge or criticize others?

Summary

When you slander your brother you also slander God's Word which forbids it. Stop it!

Comment

He who really desires to remedy the strife within the church should give particular heed to these two verses. Slanderous judgment of a brother betrays an attitude of arrogant assumption that can bring only resentment. This defamation is an assumption to be as God who gave and made the law. This was the sin of presumption of Moses, for which God said he should not enter into the promised land. Shall we bring you forth water out of this rock?

In sitting on the judgment throne with God and presuming to be a partner with God in lawgiving and judgment Moses brought God's wrath upon himself (Numbers 20:10-12). We not only repeat Moses-' sin but usually in a manner calculated to stir up strife and create ill will. Our sin is not a momentary assumption to be a partner with the lawgiver; but an assumed right to bring personal censorship and judgment against our brother that provokes both his wrath and God'S!

This speaking against of verse eleven is really a very strong word. Perhaps slander not another would be more in keeping with the meaning than the milder speak not against another. Since such a one, in acting as if he were immune from such mistakes, makes himself so unpopular it is amazing that the sin is so prevalent.
Why does man persist in doing that which brings him no reward from God, no good will from his fellow man, and no material benefit? Surely there must be a strong temptation involved in the action of slander, else it would not be a popular vocation. The reasons are probably psychological, and are based upon a rationalization of one's own condition. For one thing, a guilt complex might cause a person to sub-consciously assume a state of self-righteousness. Knowing he cannot be declared righteous by God nor by his own conscience, he finds a relative righteousness through accenting the sins of others. At least I am better than they. Just a moment's reflection would help us recall that we are not able to climb into heaven on the shoulders of those we have shoved into hell. Since this is a subconscious temptation, the reasons are subjective and usually not thought out. The slanderer seldom examines his motives.

Another subjective temptation to slander (as psychologists often point out) may be to take the spotlight off one's own self. Fearing the censure of others, the slanderer strikes the first blow. He strives to be so fast and furious with his accusations and defamation that his victims do not have time to take a careful look at their self-righteous judge. Perhaps in their desire for relief from the attack, they will refrain from bringing the proper rebuke and admonition to this sinner.

Of course, there is a fine line between defamation of character here spoken against and the proper admonition and rebuke of sinning brethren. Perhaps the greatest difference in the two actions is the motive. A Christian rebuke that comes from a desire of sincere love and a desire to bring blessings to a fellow saint is a virtuous action that James commends in James 5:19-20. Yet the same rebuke that comes from a desire to cover up one's own sin, or to make oneself look good in comparison with the brother, (even if the rebuke is deserved) makes one a law-giver. He executes the law for personal reasons, ignoring the true author and intent of the law. He executes it against his brother for benefits to himself never intended by God who made the law.

-Though there is a fine line between the two actions, there is a great gulf between the results of the two actions. Proper admonition and rebuke given in love has a real opportunity to bring repentance and save a soul from death. Improper admonition given for selfish purposes brings only resentment and strife. The proper consideration in bringing rebuke is to consider thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1).

Another result of this improper admonition for selfish purposes is that the brother is actually wronged in the charge itself. The truth of the sin is often stretched until the charge becomes a half-truth half-lie accusation. Since defamation of character is desired, the charge is pushed to the point of slander.
Again, repentance is not desired, as this would end the matter. Repentance will often be ignored; or no opportunity for correction given if the charge indeed has some truth attached. So the slanderer (assuming his charges to have some basis) actually hinders rather than helps the situation. He adds sin by creating a rift and hard feelings.

In summarizing this particular section (James 4:1-12), we might say that the Spirit warns that selfish pleasure brings trouble to the church. This selfish pleasure can only be overcome by a complete dedication to Godand God alone! So if we find ourselves in a position of creating strife and contention out of our sensuous loves, we should repent. This repentance means resisting the devil and subjecting ourselves to God, both in heart and in actions. And there is a temptation even when we admonish and rebuke the sinning brother; for if this is done for the wrong purpose it brings trouble to the church and brings down the condemnation of God.