How To Judge Your Neighbor

It may seem that James is being redundant when it comes to the speech, conflicts, and relationships, yet the more we meditate on interpersonal dynamics, the more we realize why his approach is so necessary. Just as relationships are complex and multifaceted, so too is the wisdom James brings to bear upon them. As he finishes the conceptual unit that began in chapter 3, he pointedly commands his readers to not speak evil against one another.

But what does that actually mean? It is not a blanket prohibition against all rebuke, sharp correction, or honest critique—Jesus himself denounced hypocrisy with piercing words, Paul confronted error head-on, and James spares no severity in his own epistle. The Greek word for "speak evil" is broad, covering defamation, slander, and any speech that attacks or harms another's reputation. Given James’ prior emphasis on the tongue’s dual capacity for blessing and cursing and his teaching on quarrels, this is the kind of speech that breaks down and is rooted in selfish ambition and bitter jealously, meaning that it’s not merely untruthful speech, but even truthful speech that is ill-motivated.

Speaking evil against a brother is a form of judging a brother - making an assessment and determination about their character. Doing so reveals a deeper issue; when we speak against a brother, we are also speaking against and judging the law of God. In other words, we assume the role of lawgiver and judge because we are selectively applying the law according to our own standards, as demonstrated by neglecting the command to love our neighbor as ourself in our speech.

Only God, with unyielding yet forgiving standards, qualifies as judge—unyielding in justice, forgiving through mercy. Jesus, as eternal God, gave the law but fulfilled it as the God-man, enduring unmatched slander (called drunkard, glutton, blasphemer) while responding with unparalleled grace. His cross judges judgmentalism, absorbing wrath and accusations to offer salvation. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:12-13), and our judging should reflect the same.