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James 4:11-12

¹¹Don’t speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and condemning God’s law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is right or wrong. Your job is to obey it. ¹²God alone, who made the law, can rightly judge among us. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to condemn your neighbor?

Reflect

James isn’t saying anything new here. Jesus covered that subject in Matthew 7:1 - Stop judging others and you will not be judged. Apparently, the lesson is hard learned! I am sure we all could think of people who call themselves Christians but criticize and judge others behind their backs. Maybe we ourselves have been guilty of that! James said that by condemning and criticizing others, you are condemning God’s law. Have you thought about what law that is? I’ll give you a hint - it isn’t the Mosaic law. It’s the universal law of love that James spoke about in James 2:8 - Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord’s royal command found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

You see - we don’t show others we are Christians if we don’t practice love for others. Stop criticizing and start loving.

Respond

What kind of an example are people who proclaim Christ as their Savior but tear down their neighbors with unkind words?

If you have hurt someone by your words, ask forgiveness and practice love.

What did Jesus say the most important commandments were?

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