How to Stop Being Judgmental (James 4:11,12)

Brief Review Today represents our thirteenth install- ment in this series of lessons taken from the book of James. In this series of lessons we are focusing on the theme, “How To” Christianity. In so doing, we are seeking to address everyday, practical matters of the Christian’s walk with the Lord.

Brief Review How To… Survive Trying Times Obtain Wisdom Survive Temptation Address Our Anger Secure Salvation Become a Doer of the Word Embrace Pure Religion Stop Showing Partiality Develop Real Faith Talk Like a Christian Should Develop a Heart of Understanding Overcome the Influences of the World

How to Stop Being Judgmental Overall Principle (4:11) Overriding Predicament (4:11,12) Ominous Picture (4:12) Overcoming the Problem

Overall Principle Our text deals with the idea of judging one another. To recognize and appreciate this more fully, we must first come to understand what James means when he uses the term “judging.” The idea of “judging” as set forth by James is that of the condemnation of someone in an unjustified, unrighteous, unholy, ungodly, and unfounded manner. In our text, then, the overall principle set forth by James is that we have no business speaking evil of one another and judging one another!

Overall Principle But why is that we are not to speak evil of one another and judge one another? –Because Jesus said so! (Matthew 7:1-5) –Because when we are judgmental, we abandon such important principles as mercy, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, forgiveness and love. (Colossians 3:12-14) –Because when we are judgmental, we expose our own hypocrisy. (Romans 2:1-3)

Overriding Predicament A failure on our part to observe the overall principle of not speaking evil of one another or judging one another leads right to the overriding predicament it causes. And the predicament is when we do these things, we elevate ourselves to a position in which we do not belong! (4:11,12) To be specific, when we judge others we put ourselves in the position of trying to do the work of God. And frankly, none of us are qualified to do so! (Romans 11:33-36)

Ominous Picture Our overall principle under consideration and the overriding predicament it causes cannot help but to bring about an ominous picture! That ominous picture is hinted at in the last statement of our text: “Who are you to judge another?” (4:12) Implied in answering this question is the idea that nothing good could possibly come from such an undertaking!

Ominous Picture Choosing to judge others can bring about: –Personal pain for the one being condemned (loss of reputation, loss of social standing, loss of spiritual well being) –Potential spiritual ruin for the one doing the condemning –Such things as: discord, division, denunciation, deceitfulness, defamation, defilement, denigration, and destruction.

Overcoming the Problem Remember that it is better to love someone than to loathe them. Learn to sympathize not patronize. Learn to be humble so you won’t cause yourself to stumble. Let God be God and stop trying to do His job. Focus on your own life and be the best person you can be. Remember, we will be judged by God for every idle word we speak (including those of judgment against others).