Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.

That's in James 4:11.

James goes on to say, about speaking evil to say........

James 4:11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. 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.

James 4:12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

What does all this mean?

Speaking evil, includes the idea of being critical of a brother or sister in Christ, and of accusing, and or maligning one another. We are just told not to do it period. We are also given an explanation, that if we do speak evil of one another, then we judging our brother, and we are speaking evil of God's law, ( which calls us not do such things ) and, we are judging the law.

Then, we have become judges of the Law, and not doers. We are not called to judge God's law, but rather to do it. Finally, we are reminded by James of 3 things.

1. There is one lawgiver, and that is of course the Lord.

2. God is the one who can save, or can destroy.

3. Who are we to judge another? We are not to presume is the idea.

I'm afraid this can be something that as Christians we all can do to easily, and fail to realize that we ought not to be doing this. But, here it is in black and white.

Another perspective, is that we don't need to worry about what someone else is doing. The Lord has not called us to that kind of responsibility. He will take care of His own children. He has not saddled us with that calling.

Let's pray together. Lord, we would first of all, ask that You might forgive us for any and all sins in this area. Wash us and cleanse us Lord. And, we pray that You might help us to be deeply convicted about this kind of thing, and to learn by Your grace, to resolve never to say an unkind word about another person ever again. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. God is the judge, not us.

2. God has called us to love.

3. God knows just what He is doing.

4. God calls us to be encouragers, not judges of others.

5. God does not accuse us, so, we ought not accuse anyone.

6. God has better things for us to do, and give ourselves to.