Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
Check out James 4:11, “Brethren…
- …do not speak evil of one another” (NKJV)
- …do not accuse or malign one another” (AMP)
- …do not bad-mouth one another” (MSG)
- …do not slander one another” (GW)
- …do not criticize one another” (NLT)
- …do not defame one another” (Greek definition for katalaleo)
Why not? James gives us three good reasons:
- All humans are made in God’s image. So to defame another person is to defame God.
- All humans are a part of my family. “One another” (Greek allelon) and “brethren” (Greek adelphos) includes me too!
- It only set me up to be judged in the same way—“What right do you have to judge or criticize others?” (TLB) … “Who are you that you presume to pass judgment on your neighbor?” (AMP) … “Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?” (MSG).
The bottom line—
If I don’t want someone to ___________ me, I shouldn’t ___________ them!
(see Luke 6:31 and James 2:8)
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? ◀︎◀︎
Craig T. Owens 