Today’s passage: James 4:11-12
Helpful thoughts:
- Speaking evil could also be translated as slander, speaking false accusations to the detriment of others.
- Speaking the truth in love for restoration and speaking evil in selfishness for destruction are two entirely different things.
- The judgement being rebuked in this passage is condemnation. Christians are encouraged to be discerning and to evaluate (John 7:24). But only God has the authority to condemn.
- The one who justifies their evil malicious speech has not only broken God’s law, but they have also supplanted the purpose and the authority behind the law. To speak evil against your brother or sister in Christ is to condemn God’s authority all-together.
Questions to consider:
- How does evil speech/slander violate the greatest commandments (Loving God and loving your neighbor)?
- What has to be true of our own hearts to respond to others with evil speech or edifying speech? What is our motivation or our desire? (James’ question, “Who are you?”)
- How would reviewing the Gospel, the basis of your salvation, help you to speak life and peace to others today, even when you don’t get what you hoped for?