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Can you elaborate on James 4:11-12

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 10:53 am
by Walter
(This is an archived correspondence at The Path of Truth. We have sent notification to the correspondent.)


Can you elaborate or rather explain to me the two verses in the book of James 4:11~12
And if you dont mind you can give its life illustration

Regards
Walter

Re: Can you elaborate on James 4:11-12

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 5:54 am
by Paul Cohen and Victor Hafichuk
"Do not judge according to sight, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24 MKJV).

Walter, you ask us to explain these verses.

James 4:11-12 MKJV
(11) Do not speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against his brother, and who judges his brother, speaks against the Law and judges the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law, but a judge.
(12) There is one Lawgiver, Who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you who judges another?

OR

James 4:11-12 EMTV
(11) Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. He who speaks evil against a brother and judges his brother speaks against the Law and judges the Law. And if you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge.
(12) There is one Lawgiver, Who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you who judges the other?

The key is what is meant by speaking "evil" or "against" a brother. The word translated from Greek is "slander," which means "words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another," or, "an abusive attack on a person's character or good name."

In other words, the motive to what is said is the key to knowing whether there is a problem, and not just by judging by the appearance of what is said. Otherwise, we will condemn the Lord for being an abuser, Who said to the people, including His disciples: "Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?" (Luke 9:41 HNV).

This isn't to mention all the many other hard things the Lord said to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 (for example), who weren't His brothers. The Lord wasn't slandering or speaking evilly towards them, either. He was speaking the truth in the love of God, which isn't the mushy kind subtly taught by Satan and cunningly practiced by his followers: False Love - Satans Last Stronghold.

So if you come against the standing of a brother in Christ simply because you don't like or agree with what he's doing, having no just cause before God for your criticism, then you're speaking evil and judging unrighteously, which will lead you into judgment if you don't change course quickly.

"But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehinnom [Hell]" (Matthew 5:22 HNV).

Here's an illustration of evil judgment:

"And when they saw some of His disciples eating loaves with unclean hands, that is with unwashed hands, they found fault" (Mark 7:2 MKJV).

Read the rest of the Scriptures describing this incident, and what the Lord had to say about it.

Do you understand now, Walter? Why are you pondering this? Are you perhaps attempting to subtly persuade, even entrap, us? Or is yours a perfectly innocent question with no hidden agenda in mind?

Paul and Victor

Re: Can you elaborate on James 4:11-12

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:06 am
by Walter
no i dont have any hidden motives. thanks alot
Regards
Walter