Day 340: Gossip or grace? – James 4 vs 11- 12

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them, 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? James 4 vs 11 -12 New International Version

Only two verses today but well worth thinking over. James has been dealing with the problem of quarrels and fights that can arise even among Christians. What do today's verses suggest is sometimes the cause of a fallout and broken relationships?

Once again, it's the problem of words. Older translations said “do not speak evil of one another” and the paraphrased version by JB Phillips said “Never pull each other to pieces, my brothers.” Is that something you've come across - even in Church circles? We can be so quick to criticize others for so many things – from the way they dress to whether they enjoy a glass of wine with a meal, or from the hymns they prefer to their views of the Sabbath day.

This doesn’t mean that there is no place for genuine concern and speaking earnestly to others about something serious. In fact, James’ whole letter is doing just that, and he ends his letter by saying: “If someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back (to what is right), you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.” (James 5:19-20) But what I think his concern here is to do with when Christians gossip and run down other Christians who don't measure up to their standards. Experience shows that this is sometimes done in a very harsh manner. What does James say we are actually doing when we behave like that?

He says we are actually speaking against God's law and acting as if we are superior to it. That might sound strange but, back in Chapter 2 verse 8, James had told them that “the royal law found in Scripture is ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'” We are called to love one another, not slander and tear them apart! Some of the criticisms may have sprung from those who were stricter in their understanding of God's laws than others. That still happens today when some Christians are more legalistic.

I wonder if James had in mind the words of Jesus when He warned us to not be critical of others. Jesus said: “Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others. Why, then, do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How dare you say to your brother, ‘Please, let me take that speck out of your eye,’ when you have a log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5)

Jesus wasn't necessarily talking about the final judgement day as our sins are not forgiven because we were charitable in our judgements of others. Our salvation is only through His perfect sacrifice. But those who have experienced God's mercy will want to be merciful to others. If we are harsh and critical and often run others down with our words – we mustn't expect God to look the other way when we are at fault. God is the law giver, and He alone sees the hearts of each person. Rather than slandering others we ought to be praying for them. Hopefully, they are praying for us as well.

So what do our conversations reveal about us? May we strive to avoid all gossip and never be part of pulling another believer to pieces. If an issue arises that needs attention, may we seek to speak what we believe to be true in gracious love, not in harsh judgement. May God help us in these things.