Guard Yourself Against Evil Talk
Do you struggle with talking badly about others? If so, how can you break free of this tendency? Here are a few ideas from James.
In addition to the hatred and fighting among those James was addressing, it is almost self-evident that a significant amount of public and private slander was occurring.
The CSB uses the word criticize in James 4:11, but a more literal translation of the Greek word katalaleo is "to speak evil of." It's easy to want to skim over this idea and attempt to water down what James is saying. After all, we would never think of ourselves as speaking evil.
A slip of the tongue? Perhaps. But evil? No.
But if there is anything we should learn from James' writing, it is that we must correctly place the right emphasis on sin. We must not water it down. Being in love with the world is committing spiritual adultery with Christ. And making statements about others that wrongly demeans their character in the eyes of others is evil.
Evil Is Evil
Often, evil talk in the church is wrapped in the smiles of seemingly well-intentioned people. It often comes from the mouths of people who know their Bibles well and are quick to have answers for others.
Why is speaking evil against others so wrong? Even more than the harm it causes for others is the disgrace it brings to God. When James says, "Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law,” he is likely referencing Leviticus 19:18, which states, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
This means that when we speak evil against someone around us, we are spitting at God’s commands and saying we know better.
