James 4:11

11. "[My] brethren, do not speak evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it]."

If we are this far with James and still resisting... still in control of this "christian thing", we might learn what God wants and does not want... but, instead of trying to live for God, we'll only continue trying to be God. Is that a little extreme, you think? Well, let's examine the scripture. The verse forbids any speech... true or false, which puts others down. Often we feel justified “if it’s true", or we are justified putting others down, as long as it's "face to face, and not behind their back”. It's like, “fault finding” is some kind of spiritual gift. Most people are painfully aware of their own faults, would like to overcome them, & are trying.

We can never know what is exactly in someone else’s heart and therefore merely judge them externally. Paul reminds us...

"So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God." 1 Cor 4:5

Finally, the other problem with judging others is that our sin inhibits our judgments!

Let's pick up with James verse 4:12 next time.

I love you.