Word@Work James41 - James 4:11-1
Published: Tue, 04/07/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE FOOLISHNESS OF SLANDER
James 4:11-12 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him, speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbour? (NIV)
Some think that talk is cheap: it costs nothing and yet with a positive spin it can sell products, make money, and persuade others of almost anything. That kind of talk, like many other ways of getting to the top, relies on others being pushed to the bottom. And so words are also used to put other people down. All those words have to do, is to cast doubt on an opponent's integrity. It is possible to use truth in an evil way, as well as slanderous lies. Slander (or more accurately 'evil speaking') is an evil art. It does not tell the whole truth, so that somebody's reputation can be injured. It is a weave of truth and lies that come from a malicious heart, with the intention of making it difficult for another person to function properly in society (including business and church).
James says that such talk should never be found among Christians. It is wrong because God is the only judge and His law is the only way of measuring what is good or bad. If believers make their own judgements for their own gain, not only are they arrogant (presuming to know God's mind) but their hearts are sterile. They neither show impartial judgement, nor can they show mercy. So they are not keeping God's law themselves, and are therefore at risk of His judgement. Far from understanding that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Rom 3:23), they think they are morally superior - what fools. As James has already taught in this chapter, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble' (James 4:6).
Yet pride continues to undermine the fabric of believers who are not humble before God. Slander is heard too often, even in the gossip that is dressed up as 'being concerned' for a fellow Christian, or as a 'matter for prayer'. The way some Christians gather, like vultures over the carcass of a fallen saint's reputation, is disgraceful. So too is the way some believers do business or practice their profession. Their proud hearts make them unable to judge fairly nor to be merciful in supporting the weak. If you know people like that, pray for them (following the instructions in Gal 6:1-5). But if today's passage is about you, then repent; and be humble to ask the Lord to help you change your heart. It is far more important than the next promotion or pay rise.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty. It is only through your mercy and grace that I can come to You. So please forgive me when I judge myself better than others; or when I put others down, so that I many be exalted. Thank You that Your Word tells me how wrong it is, and yet gives me the opportunity to humble myself and repent. Help me to change in my attitude towards others at work or in the fellowship, so that Your righteousness may rule where I live and work - because I desire You to have all the glory. In Jesus Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Some think that talk is cheap: it costs nothing and yet with a positive spin it can sell products, make money, and persuade others of almost anything. That kind of talk, like many other ways of getting to the top, relies on others being pushed to the bottom. And so words are also used to put other people down. All those words have to do, is to cast doubt on an opponent's integrity. It is possible to use truth in an evil way, as well as slanderous lies. Slander (or more accurately 'evil speaking') is an evil art. It does not tell the whole truth, so that somebody's reputation can be injured. It is a weave of truth and lies that come from a malicious heart, with the intention of making it difficult for another person to function properly in society (including business and church).
James says that such talk should never be found among Christians. It is wrong because God is the only judge and His law is the only way of measuring what is good or bad. If believers make their own judgements for their own gain, not only are they arrogant (presuming to know God's mind) but their hearts are sterile. They neither show impartial judgement, nor can they show mercy. So they are not keeping God's law themselves, and are therefore at risk of His judgement. Far from understanding that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Rom 3:23), they think they are morally superior - what fools. As James has already taught in this chapter, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble' (James 4:6).
Yet pride continues to undermine the fabric of believers who are not humble before God. Slander is heard too often, even in the gossip that is dressed up as 'being concerned' for a fellow Christian, or as a 'matter for prayer'. The way some Christians gather, like vultures over the carcass of a fallen saint's reputation, is disgraceful. So too is the way some believers do business or practice their profession. Their proud hearts make them unable to judge fairly nor to be merciful in supporting the weak. If you know people like that, pray for them (following the instructions in Gal 6:1-5). But if today's passage is about you, then repent; and be humble to ask the Lord to help you change your heart. It is far more important than the next promotion or pay rise.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty. It is only through your mercy and grace that I can come to You. So please forgive me when I judge myself better than others; or when I put others down, so that I many be exalted. Thank You that Your Word tells me how wrong it is, and yet gives me the opportunity to humble myself and repent. Help me to change in my attitude towards others at work or in the fellowship, so that Your righteousness may rule where I live and work - because I desire You to have all the glory. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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