May 21
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JAMES 4
11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
– James 4:11-12
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JAMES 4 SPEAK NO EVIL AGAINST ONE ANOTHER
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Think only whatever is worthy of praise, honorable, just and pure
Have your minds reflect on what is lovely, commendable and true
This way, your lips won’t release anything that is evil
Instead, it will encourage and build up your sisters and brothers.
When you speak out your malicious thoughts to someone
It generates an attack towards another person’s honor
If you follow the law to love one another, you won’t declare evil
To judge someone else’s by your own standards is from the devil.
When you say something against your brother, you are a judge
Since our nature is sinful, we are going to be biased and unjust
Only the Lord God is the one who judges truly and rightly
For he knows every thought we have and discerns us deeply.
Speak no evil against one another and declare only what is true
Do not judge your neighbor, you don’t have the picture as a whole
Leave the judging to the Lord for he alone knows each one of us
Show mercy and love to your neighbor and you will not be judged.
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REFLECTION
• Why should Christians put boundaries on one’s thoughts? What happens if we spoke every thought that comes to mind?
• Why does Paul recommend in Philippians 4:8 to think only of what is true, lovely, excellent, honorable, pure, worthy of praise, commendable and just?
• What happens when we speak evil of someone to another person?