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NASB | James 4:11 ¶ Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 4:11 ¶ Believers, do not speak against or slander one another. He who speaks [self-righteously] against a brother or judges his brother [hypocritically], speaks against the Law and judges the Law. If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it. |
Bible Question:
1) Then what type of "judging" are we not supposed to do? How do you know that that is what is specifically being referred to? The Matthew reference says not to judge with a standard that you wouldn't want to be judged by. I don't see the same conditions in this verse. It looks like it says that you just shouldn't judge period, and if you do, you're assaulting the Law. 2)How does someone "judging" or speaking against a brother also "judge" or speak against the law? This verse confuses me! |
Bible Answer: Hi daniel; I think; This subject of judging, is one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible. As humans, it is, impossible, to live in this world and not judge. It comes very natural to us, to just look at something, or someone, and sum up the situation, so to speak. God really sort of made us that way, and we really cant help it. And, I'd like to say that your assessment of the reference in matthew is correct. that is, by what standard we judge, we will be judged. But, I think, that this judgment, is, as we judge one another. As Christians, we are no longer under judgment, our sins have been forgiven. So, when we Judge one another, we are to do so in a loving and understanding way, knowing that we are no better than they are. The true law, the one that should be written on our hearts, is really just to love one another, as God loves us. And love does not criticize or point fingers. So, when we Judge in an accusing criticizing finger pointing way, we are really putting ourselves and our brothers and sisters back under the law, and thats right where we don't want to be, we are no longer under the law. at least we shouldn't be. And, I'd like to point out that James is referring to the strict old testament law. You know the one, that only One, could ever really live up to, no one els even came close to Him. Our Lord Jesus. God bless stj |