There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you, judging your neighbor? James 4:12
“Who do you think you are?” We might ask this when a person is acting like they have more authority and power than they do. This was James’s point when writing about wrongly judging our neighbors. In judgment, we operate like we have the experience and authority to correctly assess other people’s thoughts, intentions, and hearts. But this is not and has never been our place.
Only God rightly holds the position and power to save and destroy. Our judgment moves us away from others, but He has moved toward us in reconciliation. He is the only one who can judge rightly as our standard of righteousness. When we judge others according to our own standards, we lift ourselves up to a position only He can hold. This not only impacts how we treat others but causes a rift in our relationship with God as the true judge of all. Trust in Christ should change not only how we see others but also make us slow to judge, embracing our place as servants of the true King and judge who holds all things together.
- How is judgment toward other a normal part of life for many of us?
- How does submitting to God change the way we interact with others, even in disagreement?
- Pray and ask God to grow your trust in Him as judge and lawgiver.
