Lesson 65 December 22
When
its not, then
the problem with the tongue crops up again.
4:11a Do not speak against one another.
- neg mh, + Pres
act imp of katalale,w - to
speak down or against someone; the idea of evil comes from the idea of the verb
to revile or slander someone
- The problem lies in the motive and manner of the deliverer, the
hostile intentions aimed at eroding the objects position or character.
- The problem lies in the motive and manner of the deliverer, the
hostile intentions aimed at eroding the objects position or character.
He who speaks
against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges
the law;
- New word introduced is kri,nw
- to judge someone, indicates a shift
from a malicious speaking against someone to a condemnation of them.
but if you judge the law, (1cc
and you have) you are not a doer (poihth,j - practitioner) of the law, but a judge of it.
Summary
1. James commands them here to stop the practice of running down each
other.
2. They were engaged in speech that was intended to influence others
against the object of their jealousy and hate.
3. When involved with this type of S/O/T we actually violate the royal
law placing ourselves above it.
4. Therefore through verbal attacks and judging we are indirectly
renouncing the royal law. (same as if slandering and
judging the Word itself)
5. Rem: what comes out of the mouth demonstrates what is going on in the soul - Mt
12:34-37.
6. In vs:12 we will see that they are actually
usurping the authority of the lawgiver,
God, putting themselves above His Word.
7. Instead of submitting to the royal law and applying it they have
passed judgment on its validity and truth.
8. This is not a call to flabby thinking or to be indifferent to
flagrant violation of the Word or moral standards in a local assembly.
9. Key is to always check your motive and the criteria for judging very
closely to ensure the result of your thinking and speech are discernment and
not a S/O/T - which is a form of judging.
there is "only" one lawgiver and judge
The
point here:
- As
the lawgiver He declares His will
- As
Judge He upholds and enforces His revealed will.
The one who is able to save and to destroy
but who are you who judges your neighbor?
- James draws
a very strong contrast between God as the lawgiver and judge and the one's
addressed here who are usurping his authority by their sin of the tongue.
- Instead of S/O/T - and JUDGING one is to love, encourage and comfort
their neighbor, that is those you are in contact with.
Summary
1. Those who operate outside the royal law declare two things very
clearly:
#1 - they are opposed to it.
#2 - that they are exempt from it.
2. They must face the reality that there is only ONE lawgiver and judge.
3. Men formulate laws and they will either meet the std
of fairness and righteousness set by God or they won't.
4. God is the author of the royal law (His revelation) given to us to
which James has been exhorting us to implant since the 1st chapter and to take
it seriously and apply in our lives.
5. Woe to the one who misrepresents the Royal law by adding to it,
taking from it or down playing some of the subjects it teaches.
6. God has established positions of responsibility and authority, a
chain of command, see that in husband - wife relationship; parents over children; judge in a courtroom; the boss at work and its important to
correctly function in these areas which will often require one to judge and to
evaluate others verses a standard. Know
that you are not overstepping your bounds or usurping God's authority in doing
so but actually being submissive to it.