Digging Deeper James 4:11-12

The tongue - an instrument of good but also an instrument of evil and harm. You will note in this week's verse it repeatedly cautions us not to speak evil against one another, against a brother or against the law. It is so easy to fall into the trap of evil speaking (and if not speaking...thinking ill of others).

James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Commentary:
I selected this commentary specifically this week because it seems to be so practical and relevant.

"We are cautioned against the sin of evil-speaking, v. 11. We must not speak evil things of others, though they be true, unless there be some necessary occasion for it; much less must we report evil things when they are false. Our lips must be guided by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice. 1. Because you are brethren. It is required of us that we be tender of the good name of our brethren; where we cannot speak well, we had better say nothing than speak evil. 2. Because this is to judge the law. He who quarrels with his brother, and condemns him for the sake of anything not determined in the word of God, does thereby reflect on that word of God, as if it were not perfect rule. Let us take heed of judging the law, for the law of the Lord is perfect; if men break the law, leave that to judge them; if they do not break it, let us not judge them. .. 3. Because God, the Lawgiver, has reserved the power of passing the final sentence on men wholly to himself, v. 12. God is the supreme Lawgiver, who only can give law to the conscience, and who alone is to be absolutely obeyed. His right to enact laws is incontestable, because he has such a power to enforce them. He is able to save, and to destroy. He has power fully to reward the observance of his laws, and to punish all disobedience. .. It is sufficient that we have the law of God, which is a rule to us all; and therefore we should not set up other rules." [Matthew Henry's Commentary in One Volume, pg.1936]

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.