what we are
dealing with here in the 4th chapter of james in the nt is something
very serious. we shouldn’t slander or
judge people but so many do because it excuses their faults and because of
pride. but james then give us some
reasons why we shouldn’t judge or slander.
one reason is
found in the other part of james
4.11. it is unCHRISTian. here is what it says in the new international
version, brothers and sisters, do not
slander one another. anyone who speaks against a brother or sister
or judges them speaks against the
law…
actually when
it says, judges him it mentions the
words brother or sister again. brother
or sister is used three times in this passage. why?
it is because we shouldn’t judge one another because we’re all part of
the same family. we’re brothers or
sisters. when i see another CHRISTian
stumble or fall or have a tough time, i shouldn’t rejoice in that because they’re
family. i should be concerned about
it. i think a lot of times we get a
little bit of glee out of it.
i heard about
a guy who came to a pastor one time and said, “i don't have but one
talent.” the pastor asked, “what's your
talent?” the man said, “i have the gift
of criticism.” folks, the gift of criticism does not come from the HOLY SPIRIT
but from the devil and the pastor was wise and thought about the parable in the
bible and said, “the guy who had only one talent went out and buried it. maybe that is what you should do with yours.”
notice it
says, brothers and sisters, do not
slander. the word “slander” and the
word “devil” are the same word in the greek.
the word devil means, “slander.”
the bible calls satan the accuser of CHRISTians. he’s the slanderer of CHRISTians. what does this mean?
the devils
number one activity is going around and putting people down, to slander them
and malign them. we are most like the
devil when we slander, when we speak against somebody else (including all kinds
of criticisms, maligning, judging) we’re doing the devils work for him. that’s what the devil’s job description
is.
john 8:44
(niv), the devil is…the father of lies. revelation says he’s the accuser of brothers. it’s
unCHRISTian to judge other people.
just a
thought from the front porch…
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