Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
In yesterday’s post, “Job or Joy?,” we posed the question, “How do we apply this truth in our fellowship with other Christians?” The “truth” we were discussing had to do with what James said about faith and deeds. He wrote:
“…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2: 17b)
So how do we apply this truth to others in the fellowship of believers?
One thing we don’t do is go around pointing out everyone else’s shortcomings. Jesus is clear on this point. He affirms what James says when he taught:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
(Matthew 7: 1-3)
But that leads us to a very important point. If we notice a shortcoming in someone else, we are prompted to examine our own life first. It is a bit like looking in a mirror. Have we been indulging in the same shortcoming? If so, we have a great opportunity to correct ourselves. Which brings us to a second point.
If we clean up our act and make ourselves a better follower of Christ because we were prompted by what we saw in someone else, we have a lot to be thankful for. We also can set a better example for others with our newly cleaned up behavior.
A third benefit is realizing that God loves us despite our shortcomings. When we see a fault in someone else we now get to practice loving the other person just as they are, just like God does.
Now, I need to point out something about the text here. When James says, “Don’t grumble against one another…” he means don’t even murmur to yourself about someone else. The “Judge” he is talking about is God, the one who knows hearts. When Jesus says, “Do not judge…” he is talking about the same kinds of judging that God does. We are not to do that or we ourselves will be judged.
Application: Think of other people as mirrors. Let what you see in them encourage you to examine your own behavior.
Food for Thought: The word ”judge” has several meanings. Are there things God wants his people to make judgments about?
Yes, certainly we are to agree with God about His clearly revealed word in Scripture. For example, I can judge that adultery or murder are wrong. His word is very clear about that. I can judge that prayer is a good response to stress based on passages like Phil. 4:6-7 or 1 Thess. 5:16-18. I can judge my own sinful attitudes are wrong as the Holy Spirit reveals them to me. What I cannot do is condemn someone. I can not judge them and throw them in hell. The job of Judge is taken. And it’s not me.
Thank you, Rich. Nicely put! (I’m judging your writing, but in a nice way! :- )
Well said Rich, this is a fine point and our God has a way of covering every possibility. He is the only Judge to pass sentence on anyone, at the same time He does instruct and equip us to discern and avoid.
1Thessalonians 5:22, Abstain from every form of evil which is the result of discerning whether or not something is evil.
Romans 16:17-18, Turn away from them
2 Timothy 3:5, Avoid such people and keep far away from them.
Matthew 7:15, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
1 John 4:1, Beloved, do not believe every spirit instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.
As christians I firmly believe we are to first exercise the love of Christ in us and as Aquila and Priscilla, encourage and instruct as a weaker brother.
Thank you, Anon!
Excellent examples of Scripture that guides our thinking.
Blessings!
Thank you Anonymous. Excellent Scriptures and excellent point.
👍🏻