Theme: COMMENTARY ON JAMES CHAPTERS 3 - 5
Text: “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” – James 4:11.
Comment: Apostle James here refers to malicious words spoken against people behind them so as to reduce them before others in the Church. Unfortunately, many people do not bother to find out whether what they are told is true or not but instead spread such stories mostly for the pleasure of putting the other person down. These stories may have been taken out of context; they may be things that were overheard but were later given a totally different coloration because the words were misunderstood; some are half-truths and others outright lies.
Christians do not thrive in scandal-mongering but in helping one another. “Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth…” so said King David in Psalm 140:11. God Almighty also declared, “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: …He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.” (Psalm 101:5-7) There are some who hate those who are diligent in the service of God and try to weaken them or put them down by speaking evil of them. Those who are doing so are finding fault with the word of God which is the basis of the faith of the true worshipper. One should be motivated and encouraged by those who are serving God with their hearts and set up stumbling blocks for them. See James 4:12; Romans 14:3,4,10-12; 1Corinthians 4:5.