Bible Study - One Another - Don't Criticize One Another - James 4 and Romans 14 -August 21, 2011

Bible Study – One Another – Don’t Criticize One Another – August 21, 2011

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitles “One Anothering.”
Our scripture is James 4:11-12 and Romans 14:1-12 and 19.

Criticizing one another is an area with which most Christians struggle. Our flesh raises its head when a fellow Christian or non-Christian is getting accolades from others, especially when we have been involved in the matter and not recognized where the praise is given. We may know that the person being praised did nothing except show up or would have quit if it had not been for us.

Often, we do not want to be praised but if praise is being given, we want our share. This is a natural human response. Sometimes our only satisfaction may be that we know that GOD knows the truth.

Criticizing is a form of judgment. We establish ourselves as the standard and measure others according to that standard. Criticism can be constructive or destructive. The right criticism is intended to be helpful for a person to improve and do better. Our lesson will focus on criticism that tears down a person and generally occurs behind his/her back.

Our first scripture comes from the Book of James. James was the half-brother of JESUS. It is interesting to see the change of heart that the brothers of JESUS had toward HIM during HIS ministry and after HIS death and resurrection. Truth exposes false assumptions.

Let’s look at John 7:1-5:
The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers
1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the • Jews were trying to kill Him. 2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles[1][2] was near, 3 so His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)

Brothers can be brutally honest with one another and JESUS’ brothers were no exception. They were critical of their brother, JESUS. In essence, they were saying, gee, you are the big man on the block and you, of all people, are not going to this festival? The festival will fall apart if you are not there. Can you see a bit of jealousy because JESUS was so popular? They knew that he did works that caused the people to flock to him. (Lower case used on purpose because they saw him as an earthly brother with some sort of special abilities and not as the SON of GOD. This was good because it revealed HIS humanity. We know that JESUS was 100% human and 100% divine. HE was tempted in all ways as we are tempted. As a human, he was capable of sinning but his relationship with his FATHER resulted in him remaining obedient. Could this have been an occasion where he/HE was tempted to reveal to HIS brothers HIS true identity? HE had to trust HIS FATHER to reveal truth to HIS family at the proper time.)

Let’s consider the attitude of HIS brothers after HIS death, burial and resurrection. We get a glimpse in Acts 1:4-14:

The Holy Spirit Promised (Ascension of CHRIST into heaven after HE was raised from the dead.)

4 While He was together with them,[1] He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” [He said, “is what]* you heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends[2]of the earth.”
The Ascension
9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”
United in Prayer
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olive Grove, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these were continually united in prayer,[3] along with the women, including Mary[4] the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

WOW!!! What happened to HIS brothers? I believe HIS sisters were included in the statement “along with the women.” They saw HIM as the Promised Messiah. They saw HIM as their SAVIOR. They had to accept HIM as their SAVIOR just like the rest of us, including HIS mother. James became the leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem. HIS brothers continued to spread the Good News of the Gospel of CHRIST as recorded in 1 Corinthians 9:5 - 5 Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a Christian wife, like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and • Cephas (Peter)?

The Apostle Paul met with JESUS’ brother, James, after his conversion on the road to Damascus as recorded in Galatians 1:18-19 - 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know • Cephas (Peter),[8] and I stayed with him 15 days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

Let’s read James 4:11-12:
11 Don’t criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes 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 one lawgiver and judge[5] who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

The Book of James was written like a sermon to motivate the hearts of Christians to apply what they were hearing. Christians should put into action what they were being taught, that is, be doers of the word and not hearers only.

In this scripture, James was addressing Christians who criticized fellow Christians. This not to be confused with going to a fellow Christian who is following a lifestyle of sin to offer him/her help and to pray for him/her. This is talking behind his/her back and tearing him/her down.

James was saying, those who criticize a fellow Christian were establishing themselves as the standard over and above GOD’S standard. Those who criticize are judging others based upon their notions of right and wrong. They have become both the law and the judge which elevates them to be on the same level as GOD. They needed to think what they were doing when they criticized fellow Christians.
The word “criticize” means “to speak down” or to “slander” or “insult” another person. It is speech that is hurtful, untrue or both. To criticize also carries the idea “to judge.” It was tearing down others with words, especially when they were not present to defend themselves. In essence, James was saying before you criticize a brother or sister in CHRIST; take a long hard look at your own life. Do you walk the talk?

When James wrote of the law, he likely had the royal law in mind as he wrote in James 2:8 - 8 If you really carry out the royal law prescribed in Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself,[1] you are doing well. This comes from Leviticus 19:18, which JESUS had quoted. There is only one judge, GOD. JESUS said it best as recorded in Matthew7:1-5 - 1 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For with the judgment you use,[1]you will be judged, and with the measure you use,[2]it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

This will help as we explore our next scripture.

Let’s read Romans 14:1-4:
The Law of Liberty (Freedom as a Christian.)
1 Accept anyone who is weak in faith,[1] but don’t argue about doubtful issues. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat; and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to criticize another’s household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And stand he will! For the Lord is able[2] to make him stand.

The Apostle Paul was addressing an important issue among the Christians in Rome. The issue was mainly between the Jews and the Gentiles regarding what Christians should eat or not eat and observing special days.

Those raised in the Jewish religion, before becoming a Christian, thought one way and the Gentiles thought another. This resulted in disunity among the Christian community. Paul had to deal with differences of opinion. The key word is “opinion.” It is important for Christians to search the scriptures to determine what GOD considers right and wrong (sin). Even here one must be careful. In the Old Testament there were restrictions about eating or not eating certain foods. But if we follow GOD’S word regarding these restrictions we see a change. We learn this from Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9-15: (My insert)

9 The next day, as they (the group was coming to ask Peter to come with them to Gentile territory) were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop at about noon.[2] 10 Then he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something he went into a visionary state. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object coming down that resembled a large sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!” 14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything common[3] and unclean!” 15 Again, a second time, a voice said to him, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into heaven.

If GOD’S Word does not make a distinction and declares something wrong, then it becomes an opinion. Some Christians may be led by the HOLY SPIRIT to abstain from certain things. This does not mean every Christian will have the same conviction about an opinion. We must keep in mind that these were not moral issues or absolutes. The Jewish Christians in Rome ate meat, but they were concerned about eating meat not ceremonially clean or prepared according to Jewish customs. They were still connected to the Jewish ceremonial laws regarding food.

This was the concern of the Christians in Rome, which was different from the concern that the Christians had in Corinth regarding eating meat. In Corinth, the Christians were concerned with eating meat which had been offered to idols. Some Christians saw nothing wrong with it whereas others did.

The key regarding controversial or non-moral matters, if a Christian believes something is wrong then he/she needs to live accordingly and abstain. Christians must keep in mind that when GOD identifies sin, it is sin for all.

Why shouldn’t all Christians have to live by the same opinion? Some people would want to dictate their way of living to others. GOD gives Christians the freedom to live as HE directs their lives. HE will never lead HIS children to violate what HE has declared a sin. The key is, what is the HOLY SPIRIT revealing to you regarding certain controversial areas or areas of opinion? When the HOLY SPIRIT leads you to abstain from certain things, then follow your conviction as HE leads you. But just because you are led to abstain does not mean that everyone should abstain. Again, keep in mind these are areas not declared to be sin by GOD.

Differing opinions have resulted in various doctrinal differences thus the creation of various denominations – Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Church of God, Episcopal, Freewill, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian and the list goes on.

Paul considered those who did not see anything wrong with eating meat strong. In fact, he considered himself strong. But by the same token, those who abstained from eating meat considered themselves strong. Paul told those who ate meat not to look down on those who did not eat meat or observe special days. By the same token, those who abstained from eating meat were not to look down on those who did.

Paul prompted them to consider who was their boss? Both groups are accountable to GOD. If one group was wrong, GOD would deal with them and lead them to follow truth. Since, GOD has not done that then each Christian must depend upon the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT to lead him/her to make a decision regarding these controversial matters.

Let’s read Romans 14:5-12 and 19-23:
5 One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 Whoever observes the day, observes it to the Lord.[3] Whoever eats, eats to the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is to the Lord that he does not eat, yet he thanks God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and came to life for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living. 10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.[4] 11 For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.[5]12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Paul reminded both groups that whatever they did it was for the glory of GOD and for them to build a relationship with HIM. If they were in a lifestyle that prevented that then they needed to change. Christians needed to keep in mind that in the end, each will stand before GOD and be accountable to HIM. Christians will not stand before GOD regarding their salvation because their salvation is secure in CHRIST (John 5:24). But Christians will be accountable before GOD regarding their obedience. They will stand before HIM regarding their rewards as recorded in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. Therefore, ask the HOLY SPIRIT to search your hearts and lead you to truth and how you are to decide regarding these controversial issues. Here we need to be careful that we do not force what we want to do as coming from the HOLY SPIRIT, when in reality; it is our desire and not HIS.

A Christian’s desire is to obediently serve GOD. CHRIST came to earth to bring salvation to all who would believe in HIM and doing so equips them with the HOLY SPIRIT, WHO leads them to truth and how to live. Christians are accountable to HIM.

Verse 19-23:
19 So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. 20 Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats. 21 It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble.[6] 22 Do you have faith? Keep it to yourself before God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin.

In essence, Paul was saying, get a life and stop bickering about these controversial issues. They do nothing but cause you to focus on the mundane and fail to be about serving GOD. Disunity not only harms your relationship with each other, it also sends a bad message to the non-Christian community. The greatest sin that both groups commit is criticizing one another. It is not whether or not you eat meat, drink wine or observe special days. Whatever your decision is regarding these issues, keep them to yourselves when you are around those who think differently.
If these issues cannot be resolved, then those who have the freedom to eat meat, drink wine or not observe special days, then for the sake of the weak, then abstain to maintain unity. To those who are strong, it is a noble thing to consider your brother who believes it is a sin for him to eat meat, drink wine or not observe a special day. For his sake then abstain, even though you have the freedom.

If a Christian believes in his/her heart that something is wrong, he/she should not do it. GOD is likely keeping HIS child from something that can harm him/her due to his/her physical, chemical or psychological makeup.

Christians do influence others by what they consider okay to do from a social point-of-view – do they drink alcoholic beverages, smoke a little pot, smoke, do a little gambling and the list goes on.