Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? – James 4: 11-12 (NLT)
The book of James challenges us, again and again, to consider the power of our words. Our words, as James describes in chapter 3, can be like a fire: a small spark that quickly spreads, causing hurt and harm. In James 4, we’re cautioned again, except this time it’s specifically about slander.
Slander isn’t just lying about others; sometimes it’s saying something that may be true but is also harshly critical or spoken in a way that tears them down. When we talk about others behind their backs, even if we believe we’re “just being honest,” we risk stepping into slander.
Friend, James calls us to a higher standard. He reminds us that judging others isn’t our job – only God has the wisdom and authority to be the true Judge. When we criticize or speak against others, we’re putting ourselves in God’s place, effectively judging His law rather than following it. And even if we don’t personally speak against someone, listening to gossip or criticism without stopping it can make us just as complicit. James urges us to be mindful of what we say and what we entertain, for what flows from our mouths has come from our hearts. By choosing not to participate in slander – whether speaking or listening – we honor God’s command and show respect for others as His creations.
So let’s consider our conversations this week. Is the Bible providing the framework for our words? Do they lift others up or tear them down? Let’s ask God to help us resist the urge to criticize or judge others and instead speak words that build up and show grace. May we remember that the only true Judge is God – and He calls us to love our neighbors, not condemn them.
Former Blackout Artist 