Speak not evil one of another, brethren.
He that speaketh evil of his brother,
and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil
of the law, and judgeth the law, but
if thou judge the law, thou art not a
doer of the law, but a judge. there is
one lawgiver, who is able to save and
to destroy: who art thou that judgest
another?
James 4:11-12
How often and you may have heard: "We are not to judge anyone." If these Scriptures proved that we are not to judge a brother or sister then there is a contradiction in Scripture for we are told to examine people and to remove people who are brothers and sisters in Christ for sin: "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (1Corinthians 5:11-13). This command requires judging another so what is meant by the words of James? Remember it is context, context, context to be used to understand what a writer is writing about and how to apply what he has written. James if very clear that we are to watch our tongue, our words and our actions to ensure that we do not say that which is condemning our faith and our God. We have been told to submit to God, but, we also have a responsibility to ourselves and the congregation we attend and the body of Christians as a whole.
The sinful world has been judged by God and declared to warrant death. We have a responsibility to take the Gospel to the world in hopes that the Holy Spirit will draw men and women to Him as they hear the word of God. We do not judge them to warrant death that is God's prerogative but we do not apathetically approve and accept this world's sinful culture. So in this sense we do judge them to be worthy to be called an Authentic Christian or not and to allow them to either be condemned to the point where they are not given a role in the Church. This is to keep the Church pure.
As to our brothers and sisters in Christ: We do not speak evil of them as though we are the law. We can see outward expression of Authentic Christianity and determine from that as to their being a person exercising true Authentic Christian Faith and deal with it as necessary. If it is our duty to approach this one we feel doing evil we must have the authority to deal with that person, if not having the duty then you are to bring this up to the pastor, elders, and then they will research this and determine from Scripture what is the best course to take. It can be seen that far to often in a Church there is gossip, backbiting, worthless debates, etc., and if we participate then we are not following God's law that requires us to be lovingly kind and if we do speak we do so with truth and justice in meekness and respect.
Some in the Church just love to point out the flaws in others even going so far as to divulge things that are secret. They spread evil reports (gossip). God warned about such things: "Thou shat not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:16).
What is the role of a believer? it is ensure that the moral law is kept by others and we have the sufficiency of the law to keep us from determining right from wrong by our own presuppositions. God's law is the rule! We must be careful not to judge by our own opinions as though they are the rule, for if we do this, then we are liable to be judged by God. We must be careful, but we are to keep ourselves and our congregations pure but in love and in a manner that is pleasing to our Lord and God.
If thou be wise, thou shalt
be wise for thyself: but
if thou scornest, thou alone
shalt bear it.
Proverbs 9:12
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD
Richard L. Crumb
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