4:11-12 Superior Faith does not Ruin Reputations
One would think that believers would know that they should not slander one another. Throughout the scriptures we are commanded to be honest about one another. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 15, “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman.”
Slander may not be the only thing James has in mind. The King James translation of this verse is a bit stronger because it refers to not just slander, but evil-speaking. In simple terms James just wants these folks to stop the verbal destruction of reputations.
How can one claim to walk in God’s presence yet ruin the reputation of a fellow believer? Once again, the answer has to be selfishness. These folks were so intent on climbing the ladder of so-called spiritual success and recognition of their authority in church that they were willing to destroy the reputations of fellow believers. They were building their own reputations at the expense of others.
The most despicable villain that I can recall is found in Shakespeare’s play, Othello. The villain is Iago, a scoundrel if ever there was one. Iago is angered because Othello, his military commander, has chosen to promote Cassio. He then embarks upon a campaign of twisted lies, half-truths, and exaggerations as he seeks to discredit Cassio. His goal is to torture Othello as he paints a false picture of a love affair between Cassio and Othello’s beautiful wife, Desdemona. Othello, in a fit of rage, believes the accusations and strangles his wife. While this is a fictional story it certainly illustrates the evil of those who seek to ruin the reputation of others.
In America, we are somewhat used to that type of behavior outside the church. The most recent presidential campaign was no exception. Campaigns worked diligently to dig up dirt on other candidates. Vicious emails, many from Christians, were forwarded all over the internet stating falsely that Mr. Obama is a Muslim. We may have grown used to mud-slinging. It was grossly inappropriate for Christians to participate in spreading falsehood. It was nothing short of sin. It is always sin to use falsehood.
Slander is the worst type of theft. The Scripture says that “A good name is more desirable than great riches,” (Proverbs 22:1) Personally, I have no great wealth. The most valuable thing I have is my good name. When people seek to take your good name it is the worst possible type of theft. I’d much rather they take my television, computer, guitars, etc.
James strongly condemns the practice of destroying and condemning other believers. He is speaking about simply “judging” right and wrong. He is talking about the manner in which these people were destroying one another. It was not their prerogative to destroy each other.
I have to point out that this “judging” is not about making moral decisions about others, but rather about seeking to destroy others. Another often quoted out of context is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Well-meaning people enjoy quoting that Scripture but leave out the verse the follows it. Matthew 7:2 says, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Rather than saying that we are not to judge, it is that we are to be cautious in our judgment because we get measured the same way. In fact, in the same chapter Jesus goes on to warn against false prophets and he tells us that we will know them by their fruits. How are we to know them if we are not able to judge them?
The truth is we have to make moral judgments regarding those who would seek to take spiritual authority over us. However, there is a difference between choosing not to follow or fellowship with a person and destroying their lives. Before we talk about the sinfulness of others we need to deal with our own first. That is why Jesus continued (in Matthew 7) with a discussion of removing the beam in our eye before dealing with the splinter in our neighbor’s eye.
Are you willing to be judged by the measurement you use to judge with. I know a church where the senior pastor was castigated and destroyed by rumor and innuendo, much of it via email. The rumor dealt with complaints that the pastor was not spending enough hours in the office and somehow being derelict in his duties. The Pastor resigned his position and the church called the youth pastor who himself had started and spread the rumors. The ironic thing is that this very man had been hired on a full-time basis. He was supposed to work in the church’s private school during the morning hours and do youth pastor work in the afternoons. Soon, he was missing in action from the classroom almost on a daily basis. He was constantly officiating at funerals or running family errands. There were some days that he came and sat in his office, refusing to enter the classroom he was hired to work in. This man literally was able to use slander to drive the senior pastor from the job and to take control of the church, which has since seen a serious split. I would imagine that he would not be willing to be judged using the same measure he used to oust the senior pastor.
One of the reasons that Christians are willing to gossip and slander one another is that they rarely, if ever, run into opposition. Gossip is somehow accepted in the church. Yet the Scripture declares (Proverbs 25:23) “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.” We are to not to be kind when people bring us tales, but rather to stand firmly against gossip.
Another reason that Christians will participate in gossip is that they are unaware of its damage. I heard a story about a pastor who was approached by a very apologetic woman from the church where he served. She was so sorry because she had been guilty of telling this and that about him. He stated that he would forgive her if she would do something for him first. He suggested that she take a feather pillow up into the bell tower of the church, tear it open and toss the feathers into the wind. She was confused, but agreed to go and do so and then come back and speak with the pastor. After the feathers had flown she approached him once more. He asked her to go and pick up the feathers and she replied in great sorrow that it would be impossible to do so. He declared that it would also be impossible for her to go and undo all the damage that was done by her gossiping tongue.
The final reason that I believe that believers choose to slander and condemn their neighbors is a lack of faith in God. Why do people seek to wreck vengeance on those who wrong them? If they believe that God is their protector and avenger can’t they also believe He will take care of it? Like Jonah, they are fearful that God will be merciful and forgiving towards their enemies and therefore they want to make certain that they pay the price. Second, they don’t trust God to place them in the position He wants them to be in and so they shamefully take matters in their own hands in an attempt to rise in rank, position, or reputation at the expense of others.
4:13-17 Superior Faith does not Boast
Both this section and chapter five begin with strong words, “Now listen.” James reminds me of a Physical Education teacher I once had. He would blow his whistle long and loud and then shout, “Listen up!” His authority was so clearly stated that always knew that whatever he said was going to be hard. How many laps were we supposed to run?
James also reminds me a bit of the Clint Eastwood character in the film “Heartbreak Ridge.” Eastwood plays a tough platoon sergeant who decides that he needs to get tough with his combat marines. He puts them through their paces. One day when they are out for a run he disappears. The platoon begins to make jokes about where he is gone when all of a sudden bullets start flying and they all dive for cover. They cry out in shock and wonder trying to figure out what was going on. Eastwood’s character steps out from behind a tree and tells them, “This is the AK-47 assault rifle, the preferred weapon of your enemy. It makes a distinctive sound when fired at you. So remember it.” James wants their attention and he, like Eastwood’s character, will go to great lengths to get it and to make certain that they remember the lesson.
If James’ readers had been more attentive to Christian virtues then James wouldn’t have to fire this verbal volley in their general direction. I believe that if superior faith has a firm foundation in humility it logically follows that boasting has no place. Believers get in trouble by making plans without considering God’s will. They get in further trouble when they brag about what all they are going to accomplish.
It isn’t wrong to plan. God gave Gideon a plan to conquer the enemies of the people of Israel. Paul’s ministry strategy was to first seek out the Jewish population of each new location he entered. Planning is not a sin.
Chapter five provides us with another look at context. Chapter five begins with James speaking very sternly to the rich oppressors. Could these rich oppressors be the same as the braggarts being rebuked in chapter four? I think contextually this is so, especially when you look at what those plans are for. These people are bragging about their wordly plans to become wealthy. They have selected a place to go, a business to run, and a goal. Not once does it sound like God’s kingdom work is considered.
One again, the people that James was writing to had left God out of the equation. Rather than submitting to God they had become like the rich fool that Jesus describes in Luke 12 who planned to build barns while making no provision for his spiritual well-being. We already know from the section on favoritism of the rich that James is aiming at a group of people who are steeped in materialism and covetousness. This section is consistent with one of the major themes of this letter, materialism is not the measuring stick for faith.
James does not just declare that these boasters were just a little out of line. He blows the whistle and calls for attention for a larger reason than that. In keeping with the authoritative tone of this chapter he declares that this type of boasting is evil. Not only is this bragging not helpful to the building of the church it is wicked. It is hurtful and destructive.
What is so hurtful and destructive about this bragging? Why is James so upset over people making big dreams and talking about them?
First, such bragging is harmful because it removes the focus of those who hear it from God. It may cause believers to idolize the braggart while leaving God out of the picture. Second, such bragging is harmful because it is based on pride of accomplishment. If our focus is on what we can accomplish it emphasizes our own abilities. Third, such bragging is harmful because its focus is on materialism.
James warning at the end of the chapter is a reminder of just how serious he considers the situation. It is almost like a No-Trespassing sign that says something to the effect that trespassers would proceed at their own risk.
However, this also brings us to another concept. In the United States there is a concept that ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking the law. James wants the people to know that they cannot use their ignorance as an excuse to continue in their destructive behavior. Now that he has informed them, they are absolutely without excuse. It is no longer questionable behavior. Now they are being forced to recognize that it is nothing less than sinful behavior.
