Episode 160 - "Do not judge your brother!" James 4:11-12

James 4:11   Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil 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 only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

So in these two simple, clear verses, we have more straight talk from James. It boils down to this; “Do not judge your brother (or sister) in Christ!” But is it really all that clear? After all, it seems like the Scriptures have examples of when people are supposed to judge others within their community of faith. Don’t they? Let’s take a look at this.

Notice that in verse 11, the command is first to not “speak evil against one another,” and then that is likened to judging a brother. The problem with this, James explains, is that doing so “speaks evil against the law and judges the law.” (v. 11) Since it was God who gave the law, you fundamentally set yourself up in place of God by acting as though you are sinless and qualify to be a righteous judge. Clearly, we shouldn’t do that. But exactly how does James understand that judging a brother violates the law? He doesn’t specify a specific command within the law.

A quick perusal of the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:1-17 reveals at least one commandment seems like a possible candidate to which James was referring. In Exodus 20:16, we read, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” That’s possible. However, it seems like James would maintain the specific nature of that command if that’s all he had in mind. But James says, “Don’t judge” instead of don’t lie against your neighbor. It is difficult to assert that he was thinking of this commandment alone. 

If we take a more broad look at the Ten Commandments, however, we’ll notice that the last six of the Ten Commandments all deal more with our relationship with others instead with our worship of God. Things like “Honor your father and mother,” “Don’t commit adultery,” Don’t steal,” and so forth collectively inform us that God values people and our relationship with others. This faith that the Lord is giving us is not just a belief or reverence for a higher power. Living with others in a way that demonstrates that we value them is very important to God. Therefore, it appears that this judging of others that James has in mind is a means by which we treat others as though we are more worthy or more righteous than others. This thought is not unique to James. 

Jesus taught, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:1-5)

What is Jesus' point? Jesus reminds us that we are guilty of sin as well and that our priority should be judging ourselves and finding ways to grow in obedience and faith. 

Jesus taught this “bird’s eye” view of the law as well. “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:37-40) If we love our neighbor as ourselves, then we cannot judge them as though we are perfect and they aren’t.

I think this is where James is going in James 4:12. “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” The rhetorical question is, “Who are you to judge your neighbor?” The answer is, “You are not God, the One who can rightly judge, AND you are one who is also a sinner who rightly deserves to be judged by God. Therefore, I do not have the qualifications to judge rightly.

What about those passages in Scripture where the judgment of people seem to be advised or even commanded? Is this in contradiction to what James or Jesus taught? Throughout all of Scripture, there were times when people within the community of faith violated God’s law, and there were false prophets that would arise to deceive people. It’s also very clear that the Scriptures teach that the community of faith should not turn a blind eye to such things. In other words, they were to “judge” actions, ideas, and words to discern what was good and right. The law also provided counsel for such kinds of violations. In Deuteronomy 19:15-20 we read, “15   “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. 16 If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, 17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. 18 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. 20 And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.” 

This Scripture from the Books of the Law was used by Jesus to authenticate his works and his teaching. He pointed out to those who were judging him that he had witnesses verifying that his words and works were from God. (See John 5:30-47) 

There is a sense in which we are to judge. However, the fundamental issue is one of the heart and our motivations. We can ask the question of whether our judgment is out of a heart that is self-righteous or one in which there is sin or false teaching occurring to which there is adequate evidence the community may appropriately confront the offense. The motivation for the latter case is one of purity within the community of faith and the desire to redeem and restore the offender to what is good and right. It is not about vindictiveness or exalting ourselves as superior, more worthy people. Appropriate judgment is one in which the evidence is clear, and the desired outcome is for the good of everyone. 

Jesus’ statement to “pull the beam out of your own eye” is followed by the statement, “then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” In that second part, he reveals that appropriate judgment requires we first deal with our own sin, and then we can help (not condemn) our brother.

Lord - Make us humble before you and before others so that we can identify and address the sin in our own life. Grant us wisdom and grace to help others return to your truth and righteousness.