The Problem of Evil Speaking

James 4:11 – 12

Introduction

Perhaps the most common problem we Christian are facing now is the problem of evil speaking. Whether we mean it or just a slip of the tongue, the consequence is damaging. Fault finding is quite easy and just another indication how arrogant a man is. Previously we have studied the term “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to wrath”. Then we discussed about the “tongue”. Notice that James specifically allotted two more verse about the danger which our tongue can do, “evil speaking”. When you speak evil against your brother, you put yourself above them.

I. Speak not evil one of another brethren (Jas. 4:11)
A. To speak evil is to slander which is defined as oral communication of false statements which is injurious to a person’s reputation. To hurt others with our mouth.
B. Evil speaking is abomination unto God, (Pr. 6:16, 19) and is forbidden. (Ex 23:1; Eph. 4:31; Jas 4:11)
C. Comes from the heart – (Mat. 15:19, Luk. 6:45)
D. Idleness leads people to do it – (1 Tim. 5:13)
E. Men shall give account for – (Mat. 12:36, Jas. 1:26)
F. What slander includes:

Whispering. (Rom. 1:29; 2 Cor. 12:20) – to speak very quietly and cautiously
Backbiting. (Rom. 1:30; 2 Cor. 12:20) – to speak spitefully or slanderously about another when he is not around.
Talebearing. (Lev. 19:16) – one who spreads malicious stories or gossips.
Defaming. (Jer. 20:10; 1 Cor. 4:13) – To damage the reputation, character, or good name of by slander or libel.
Raising false reports. (Ex. 23:1)
Murmuring. (Ex. 16:7- 8, Num. 14:36)

Illustration/Application:
The Jews murmured and complained against God and against Moses and they were punished. It is calculated that over one million of the children of Israel died in the wilderness by God’s judgment for their murmurings in forty years. Even in churches today, people are murmuring and complaining against their pastor whom they are not happy and satisfied with. The problem also are the Pastors who makes a lot of mistakes whether by ignorance or by laziness. It’s a sad thing that the congregation suffers due to erring Pastors for reasons God only knows. There will always be an accountability for both sides. Let this be a warning, the Lord hears and punishes murmurers, and those called by the Lord to lead but did not do their responsibilities well.

II. Speaking evil goes back-to-back with judging. When you speak evil against your brother, a fellow Christian, you are passing judgment against them and it is prohibited.

Mat. 7:1, – this refers to unjust, rash judgment with the purpose of condemning.
Rom. 14:4 – Judging is God’s prerogative not ours
Rom. 14:13 – an exhortation to stop judging for it belongs to God rather we should not be a stumbling block for others.
We should not judge based on appearance. (1 Sam. 16:7).

III. Which Law here is broken or violated?
A. The Law that we should love one another. (Jn. 13:34. 2 Jn. 1:5), it is also called the royal law which is “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” James 2:8.
B. When you slander your brother, it is tantamount to declaring this Law as wrong, and as it is written, you are judging the law.
C. What shall we do then? Obey the law it is not our job to decide whether it is right or
wrong.
D. To be doer of the law is always better.

IV. The righteous judge (Jas. 4:12)
A. There is only one judge – (Psa. 75:7, Heb. 12:23)
B. He is able to destroy
C. He is able to save.

V. Why we have to judge also – (2 Tim. 4:1-2 and Titus 2:15 and Jude 3). What about those who are teaching false doctrines and lead people in the wrong way?
A. We are charged of being judgmental and unloving when we expose the wrong teachings of churches.
B. It is our duty to warn people of the false gospel so that they will not be led astray into hell and destruction. Warning people about false belief is always the right thing to do.
C. There is a clear difference between true shepherds and wolves, and if the true shepherds will not expose the errors, he is a wicked shepherd and not doing his God given duty.

VI. Conclusion
Let’s avoid evil speaking or slandering. As Christians we should return good for evil. In this crooked and perverse generation, our language should be as mentioned in Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.