You Speak Evil of Christ
James 4: 11
We are dealing with the offense of usurping God's office, and passing sentence upon brethren. Throughout the churches, weaker brethren who yet observed the law of Moses, presented a trail to those who knew the believer is no longer under the law. At the same time, the liberty in which the stronger brethren walked presented a trial to the weaker brethren. The result was that fleshly lust of using condemning speech one of another over things totally indifferent to the kingdom of God. Paul calls it “doubtful disputing" (Romans 14: 1-4). As God grows brethren in grace, he makes us to know more and more that we are no longer under the law, but under grace. But he does it in his time, not ours. As you wait on him, the word is straightforward and clear: whether true or false, whether behind their backs or to their faces, whether in private or in public, do not speak evil one of another, brethren (Proverbs 31:26). Would you speak evil of Christ? James said that it should never be that we use the same tongue to bless God and then curse men, because men are made after God’s image (James 3:9, 10). Here, it is even worse because Christ said what you do unto the least of my brethren you have done unto me (Matthew 18:6; 25:40). Aaron and Miriam spoke evil of Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman. The LORD said to them, “Were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses? (Numbers 12:8). Believers are one in Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6). What we speak of our brethren we speak of him who laid down his life for our brethren. Not only this, but yoking a believer with the law is to speak evil of Christ's perfect sin-atoning sacrifice whereby he brought every believer from under the cursing law and under grace! (Romans 6: 6-14.)