Do not speak evil against one another. – James 4:11
The Scriptures have a lot to say about the mouth! James, an apostle of Christ, wrote about how your behavior reveals your spiritual identity. He notes the words you choose, particularly words in relation to other people, are a window into the condition of your soul.
Speaking evil of others comes under the heading of slander, and it is a grievous sin. At times it can be as subtle as just another note in a conversation or a side comment, maybe just a gesture. In scripture, slander is an identifier of a godless person! “With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor” (Proverbs 11:9). Smearing the name of another person puts you into very bad company, “they are filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice, full of envy… gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, and haughty“ (Romans 1:29-30). Contrast this with Proverbs 10:11, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.“
James draws a direct line between your speech and your spiritual walk, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue… this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26). The apostle Peter says, “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit” (1 Peter 3:10). Solomon wrote that “the lips of the righteous feed many“ (Proverbs 10:21) illustrating the blessing of a sanctified mouth!
The Lord has given you the directive to guard your words. When you control your tongue, you can rain blessings upon those around you, as well as your own life! If you have not controlled your tongue well in life, do not despair and do not give up, God is forgiving and full of restoration, ask Him to help you in that area and He will do it! Pray for American legislators to use their words for truth as they work, avoiding slander and evil speech.
Today’s Verse: James 4:11
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 12:33-37
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
