James: A Handbook on Holiness

The Range of Holiness: Facing your Brother

James 4:11-12

General outline:

1. The Way to Holiness: The Divine Perspective 1:2-27

   1. The Trial-Temptation Complex (1:2-18) & The Word of God (1:19-27)

2. The Principles of Holiness: The Biblical Framework 2:1-26

   1. The Law is the Structure (2:1-13) & Faith is the Dynamics (2:14-26) of Holiness

3. The Implementation of Holiness: The Christian Experience 3:1-4:10

   1. The Obstacle to Victory: Human Impotence 3:1-9

   2. The Nature of Victory 3:10-18

   3. The Requirements for Victory 4:1-10

      1. Self-knowledge 4:1-5

      2. God-Centered Repentance 4:6-10

4. The Range of Holiness: The Fabric of Life 4:11-5:18

   1. The Relationship to "The Other" 4:11-17

      1. Facing your Brother 4:11-12

         1. The Injunction against Judging 4:11a

         2. The Nature of Judging 4:11b

         3. The Seriousness of Judging 4:12

James 4:11-12

The Injunction against Judging

11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.

The Nature of Judging

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.

The Seriousness of Judging

12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Discussion Questions:

1. V. 11a – in what ways is this verse similar to & different from the 9^th Commandment? _______
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2. V. 11b – Is all judging wrong? See 1 Cor. 5:12-6:4. _____ What sort is right? (Matt. 5:25; Luke 12:57-58; John 7:24) _____________________________________ What sort is wrong? (Matt. 7:1-5; Luke 6:37) ________________________________________________________ What is the difference between a doer of the law and a judge? __________________________

3. V. 12 – In light of vv. 1-10, why should we not judge our neighbor? ______________________
   In light of vv. 1-10 & 12, what should every right human judgment do? ___________________
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