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Encourage One Another
Brother Neff’s Collections – April 2, 2015
September 26, 2026
James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
God is very concerned about the way we treat each other as followers of Jesus Christ, including the words we use. We expect to be opposed and ridiculed in the world, but we are to be supported and encouraged in the church. The Bible speaks strongly against criticizing or speaking evil of the brethren. Words are powerful tools to edify and encourage, but can also damage and hinder.
The more we know the people, the more familiar we will be with their weaknesses and shortcomings. We will not always agree, but we are warned repeatedly not to speak evil of each other. We are not to speak slanderously, maliciously, or critically of others. Critical speakers have done great damage to individual Christians, church families, and even the community at large.
The law tells us, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Lev. 19:18). Slandering or gossiping about others is certainly not loving your neighbor. It might be a better use of our time to look at our own faults and shortcomings.
Reflection—It is so much easier to talk of persons than of principles.
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