{"id":44826,"date":"2024-09-07T14:03:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-07T11:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=44826"},"modified":"2025-05-08T13:04:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T10:04:33","slug":"what-does-the-phrase-speaks-against-the-law-and-judges-the-law-mean-in-james-411","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2024\/09\/07\/what-does-the-phrase-speaks-against-the-law-and-judges-the-law-mean-in-james-411\/","title":{"rendered":"What does the phrase \u201cspeaks against the law and judges the law\u201d mean in James 4:11?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0(James 4:11, ESV):<\/strong>
\n“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.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Answer:<\/strong>
\nTo fully understand what James means, we need to explore both the context of his epistle and the broader biblical principles he draws upon. James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, writes this letter to believers facing internal divisions, worldliness, and judgmental attitudes. James warns that speaking evil or passing judgment on fellow believers is a serious matter\u2014not merely an interpersonal issue but a spiritual offense against God\u2019s law.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break it down with a practical example:<\/p>\n

Imagine a president visits a rural area and finds a destitute family where all members are disabled and unable to work. Out of compassion, he orders that they be given a home, monthly food supplies, and their basic needs be covered by the government for life. After the president leaves, the regional governor visits and decides the family is simply lazy and unworthy of such help. He accuses them, delays their assistance, and treats them harshly.<\/p>\n

On the surface, it may appear the governor is just being critical of the family. But in reality, he\u2019s rejecting and disobeying the president\u2019s command. His actions indirectly question the president\u2019s wisdom, compassion, and authority\u2014even if he claims to respect him.<\/p>\n

Likewise, James is saying that when we judge or speak evil of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not only harming them\u2014we\u2019re positioning ourselves above the law of God, which commands love, mercy, and humility. In essence, we declare the law to be flawed, and assume a role that belongs to God alone: the role of Judge.<\/p>\n

The Law of Christ<\/strong>
\nThe \u201claw\u201d James refers to is likely the royal law<\/em> mentioned earlier in<\/p>\n

James 2:8 (ESV)<\/em>:
\n“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This echoes the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 22:37\u201340<\/em>, where He says all the Law and the Prophets depend on the commands to love God and love your neighbor.<\/p>\n

Furthermore,<\/p>\n

Matthew 7:1\u20132 (ESV)<\/em> warns:
\n“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.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jesus is not forbidding all discernment but condemns a hypocritical and self-righteous spirit that ignores one\u2019s own faults while harshly condemning others (see Matthew 7:3\u20135).<\/p>\n

Restoration, Not Condemnation<\/strong>
\nInstead of condemning, Scripture teaches us to restore our brothers and sisters gently and with humility.<\/p>\n

Galatians 6:1\u20132 (ESV):<\/em>
\n“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another\u2019s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This \u201claw of Christ\u201d is the command to love sacrificially, just as Christ loved us (John 13:34\u201335<\/em>). Judging others without love not only violates this law, but it reveals a failure to grasp God\u2019s grace, which we ourselves depend on.<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong>
\nWhen we slander or judge fellow believers, we don\u2019t merely offend them\u2014we oppose God\u2019s law and set ourselves up as superior to it. Instead of judging, God calls us to live out His law through love, compassion, and gentle correction. We are not judges\u2014we are fellow recipients of grace, called to walk humbly and help one another grow in Christ.<\/p>\n

May the Lord bless and guide you as you walk in His grace<\/strong><\/p>\n