In some Christian circles slandering, judging others is a common practice even to the point that it becomes a favorite “past time”. It is addictive making another person look bad while making yourself look good. Information about another person becomes currency to be shared with your circle. These bits are morsels that your group can chew on and on about. Being the judge is a lofty emotion.
The Apostle James heard about this being practiced among believers and addressed it, “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 neighbor?” James straightforwardly reminds each of us, “there is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” Let’s refresh our minds. God Himself hates slander, judging one another…a self-serving exercise of pride to the detriment of others is an antithesis to the Christian faith.
Jesus deals with this subject Himself in Matthew 7:1-5, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Let’s break this passage apart:
- In the same “measure you use” to slander someone meaning the potential that it will hurt them, “it will be measured to you.”
- Why judge the small issue in another person’s life when you have a huge issue in your life that is keeping you from seeing things clearly. Spiritually unhealthy people are the biggest gossipers. They need something to build themselves up and use slander as their means.
- Humbly ask Jesus to remove the issues that has blinded you. He will and will bless you with the ability to genuinely help others.
James makes another statement in 5:9, “Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” Humbly, get off your throne and put Him on it. He will clean you up and help you see things clearly especially hurting another person.
Barnabas Man 