James uses the term ‘brothers, brethren or my brethren’ thirteen times in five chapters. He uses this term frequently since he is concerned with how we treat others in the congregation.
Do not judge a brother
The way we use our tongue is of profound importance and James states, “Do not speak evil of each other brethren”. The one who speaks evil of his brother judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. Note James is not forbidding confronting those in sin, or discipline within the congregation. Neither is he saying under no circumstance, never judge anyone, or do not attempt to graciously restore someone. We learn much from ourselves when we read the book of Judges and we should not forget that the saints will judge the world (1 Corinthians 6:2).
In the previous section we saw that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Evil speech includes and exceeds careless talk, but also includes derogatory, persistent slanderous accusations. This type of speech is divisive between believers and can cause division in the congregation. Speaking evil and accusing others is a grave offence and a sin against God.
James states that those who speak evil of a brother are in fact judging the law. Who are we to judge the law? The law is God’s law and we have all broken it. If we were judged by God’s law, we would be proven guilty since none of us have kept all His commandments perfectly. Are you a doer of the law, or a judge of the law? Is anyone able to live above God’s law?
Some people take a disliking to certain aspects of the law and they wish to edit the law and judge the law by their standards. That is a terrifying predicament because one day the Judge of the whole earth will judge them. No one will put the Lawgiver on trial on Judgement Day, rather they will be on trial. There is one Lawgiver able to save and destroy and we need Him to justify us. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
In the Sermon on the Mount Yeshua (Jesus) spoke about not judging a brother (Matthew 7:1-5). By judging others, we have put ourselves above the law and unwittingly invited our own judgement. Some of those who have a habit of judging their brothers or sisters are frequently hypocrites. They are self-righteous and painfully oblivious to their own faults and their own tongues betray them. They are white-washed sepulchres, clean on the outside yet filthy inside.
If you find yourself in a habitual pattern of slanderous talk to brothers or sisters , what can you do? Change your focus from exposing the faults of others to seeking God and His word. Macdonald helpfully notes, “Someone has suggested that there are three questions we should answer before indulging in criticism of others. What good does it do you your brother? What good does it do to yourself? What glory for God is in it?[i] If you are still not convinced, would you repeat the same accusation if you could see the Lord visibly present? Every idle word that we speak is heard, every thought is known and we are not the judge. The Lord is the Judge.
If you are quick to criticise brothers or sisters to magnify what you perceive to be their faults, what can you do? Repent, control your thoughts and tongue, renew your mind and draw near to God and His word. How would you plead your righteousness before the Lawgiver, the Judge of the whole earth? I am not like those sinners, I come from a respectable home, I go to meetings and I am a law- abiding citizen?
Or rather, Sovereign Lord, I am a great sinner, but You are a much greater Saviour! I have no righteousness of my own. The best lawyers in the world would never be able to plead my case. Of myself, what can I offer? What can I plead? You are of purer eyes than to behold evil. But this I know because your word states, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12) Therefore, I have no need to defend my righteousness, because I know the great High Priest. He alone is my Advocate, my Defence Lawyer, my righteousness, my Lord and my God.
Do not boast about tomorrow
James explains that we should not praise ourselves or boast about what we intend to achieve. MacArthur writes, “The people so depicted are practical atheists, living their lives and making their plans as if God did not exist.”[ii] Are you a practical atheist? You say that you believe in God, but that plays no bearing on your life? Is business and making money your religion? Do you make plans without praying?
James is not saying, do not bother to make plans and just wing it. That would simply be unwise. Using the scenario given, if you were to trade in a city for a year it would be prudent to do your homework, undertake a recce and find a strategic location. You would plan where to stay and consider what the quality and quantity of goods are needed. James is concerned about the boastful attitude and whether God is glorified in your venture.
I once had a summer job in between university terms, working alongside two other employees. One was not shy in insisting that she was going to become an Aerospace Systems Engineer for NASA. That did not happen. The other was a film student and one day he said it was his last day. I had to ask him where he was going and he replied, “Hollywood”. More importantly, I know a believer who planned to go to a certain country for a year and undoubtedly, she would have done well for herself. Nevertheless, on considering these verses she did not go and the Lord blessed her greatly in other ways.
The person seeking to travel and make a profit for a year is speaking from a carnal mindset and does not consider the Lord’s will in their plans. They are like the rich young fool (Luke 12:13-21). Is your life an endless quest to pull down barns and build bigger barns? Or is your life one of godly planning and being part of building God’s kingdom?
James helps us to correct this worldly mindset since we do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is like a vapour that appears and quickly vanishes. When it is cold outside, we can see our breath as it appears and it almost instantly vanishes. Sometimes we have interviews and we are asked, “Where do you see yourselves in five years’ time?” The cocky ones might say, “Sitting where you are sitting and asking someone else that same question!”
There is nothing wrong with a one-year plan or five-year plan, but are you planning with God’s kingdom in view? I was in a church with a twenty-year plan and that was a good thing. They taught, trained and discipled others. However, we should not boast about what we hope to achieve in the coming year. Rather the psalmist counsels us, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12). Are you counting your chickens and boasting about your plans for the year ahead? Or are you living each day for the Lord and planning wisely in the light of eternity?
Making plans according to God’s will
James corrects the boastful attitude with godly and timely advice. “Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:15) How can we be diligent doers of God’s will and purpose? When Paul travelled, he kept in mind whether to do so was the Lord’s will (Acts 18:20-21) and he retained the same mindset in his prayers (Romans 1:9-10). So, what are you doing this year? I am planning to work or study and Lord willing I will see you in a year. There was a time when people would write letters and end with the letters D.V. ‘Deo Volente-God Willing’.
Please note this does not mean that we need to start and finish every other sentence with ‘Lord willing’. That would be missing the point and the expression is not a formula, but rather an attitude. The point is twofold. Firstly, that we are not boastful or presumptuous when we make our plans. Secondly, when we make our plans, they are not merely our plans but are intended for the glory of God.
But in real terms, what might this look like if I am making plans for the glory of God? I may not go to such and such a city for a year and make a profit if that would negatively impact my walk with the Lord. I may not work a particular job if I work every hour under the sun and neglect the Lord and my family. I may not purchase my dream home at the right price if I am distanced from my fellowship community. I will ask where I can serve the Lord most effectively in the light of eternity.
Boasting in the Lord
Boasting is from arrogance and such boasting is evil. We must avoid worshipping ourselves. Pride is abhorrent to God and is sinful, so how can we turn this around? The question is, who and what are you boasting in and why? Is your boasting in the Lord? What does the Scripture say? As it is written, “He who glories, let Him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31). There is no need to heap praise for our intended achievements, but we can be full of praise unto the Lord. God gives grace to the humble though the humble can boast in the Lord (Psalm 34:1-3).
Have you ever heard the expression, ’if it is true, then it is not bragging?’ In other words, we are at liberty to broadcast our achievements. Proverbs 27:2 states, “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips.” It is about our attitude and it is perfectly fine to share our success, but we do not require a megaphone to do so. We list our achievements on our C.V. and that is fine, but there is no need to broadcast that to the nation.
James 4:17 tells us, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Does that mean sin is only sin when we know it is a sin? Try arguing about a speeding fine on the basis that you were not aware of the speed limit on a certain road. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Conversely those know the law are more accountable. If we know what is right then we ought to do what is right.
James has illustrated that life is like a vapour and we do not know what will happen tomorrow. So consider that if you were to die later today, would you be certain of going to heaven? Are you ready to meet the Judge of the whole earth? Is He your Judge or your Saviour? Would you plead your righteousness or His righteousness given to you, by grace through faith?
Our Lord and Messiah left the glory of heaven, lived among us and made atonement for sin. Have you turned to Him? Have you sought His forgiveness? Are you trusting in Him? What are your plans? Are you planning for this year, the next five years or twenty years? Or are you trusting in the Author of Life, who gave you life and who can grant you eternal life? Are you planning with eternity in view?
[i] William MacDonald Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 1995; Nashville), p2238
[ii] John MacArthur The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2005; Nashville), p1895