Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Friday, September18, 2020

Theme: COMMENTARY ON JAMES CHAPTERS 3 - 5

Text: “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” –  James 5:9

Comment: People of God are enjoined to love their neighbours as themselves and not to backbite and damage them. (Leviticus 19:18)  Since no one should be condemned without being heard, (John 7:51), the person who receives an evil report about another person should find out properly and even strive to hear from the person involved. The Bible says, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established…” –  Matthew 18:15-17.

Bearing bitter grudge against another person amounts to murder. (1 John 3:15) The evil report brought by ten of the spies led to great murmuring and even to an open revolt by the Israelites against Moses and Aaron. They even wanted to choose a captain to lead them back to Egypt! This was clear evidence of lack of faith and amounted to rebellion against God. God therefore told Moses and Aaron, that in view of their murmurings, all those who were 20 years and above who had murmured against Him shall not see the Promised Land. The Bible says that we should “Do all things without murmurings and disputing.” –  Philippians 2:14.

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