Speaking Evil

Tonight we will have a brief study on speaking of one another, particularly fellow believers.

It is common for there to be disagreements between people, even and especially among close friends and family. Sometimes when we are particularly frustrated it can feel rewarding and vindicating to “vent” to another person about your bad situation. This could be beneficial in some way I suppose, but it is far better to keep silent and do good and speak good of others, even those that we feel have done us wrong. Is this not what Jesus did? Asking for forgiveness of his persecutors as he hung on the cross was a selfless and forgiving act.

When we are sure someone has done us wrong, and we are angry at the offense, it is natural to want to retaliate. We want to retaliate in action, words or attitude towards the source of our offense. But the Bible says that this if not the way. Because when we do that, we are acting as judge. But in the book of James, we are explicitly told not to do this and why:

“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” James 4:11-12

So tonight I urge you to forgive those that you feel have wronged you and to keep silent about the loud and angry words that emanate from your heart. These things will come and they will go. Have the strength and the peace to rise above the situation and show the other party how best to behave in these situations.