Bible Study on James 4, verses 11 to 17, against judging and boasting

 

James 4:11 ¶  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. 12  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 13  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

 

James, still focused on our speech, warns against malicious words against our brothers and, of course, we presume our sisters in Christ. We should not judge each other to our hurt as if we were a judge of the Law of God to use it against our brethren. It is too easy a matter to be self-righteous. Added to this he warns against promises that we cannot be sure to keep as the Lord God is in control of our lives. We should remember God’s sovereignty when we make such pronouncements. Finally, he makes an important point for us all, that not doing what is right is the same as doing what is wrong. This is extremely important for us to understand in our dark, fallen world. It is a great principle of Christian living which is emphasized by what James said previously.

 

James 2:14 ¶  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.