We tend to have a habit of talking about others in a negative fashion. Sometimes we claim we have to say what we think or we would be dishonest, when often it is best if we just hold our tongues. We talk about others often to make ourselves look or feel better. In talking about others we often judge others. In Hebrews 4:11-12 we will see why this is wrong, and why it is not our place to judge some sins as worse than other sins.
Verse 11 starts with the statement "Do not speak evil against one another, brothers." This is a simple command. Do not do this. Do not speak evil against one another. It does not say "Do not speak evil against one another, brothers behind someones back but it is okay to do it to their face." The truth is talking about someone behind their back or to their face are both wrong actions and they both should be avoided. It also important that we realize that we are all guilty of this action, of this sin.
Verse 11 continues "the one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law." When we against someone else we are judging them. We would not be spreading this piece of juicy gossip or talking about or to this person in this way unless we felt like what they were doing was worse then what we were doing. In this way we make ourselves the judge! We are not the judge! And in fact we are no better than anyone else. The bible says in Romans 3:23 that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." The means my sweet Mema who may appear to be the nicest person in the world is just as bad off and has fallen just as short of God's glory as a serial killer. We have no right to judge anyone.
Verse 12 makes a profound statement, that should stop us in our tracks and cause us to think: "But their is only one lawgiver and judge". I will go ahead and spoil the surprise, you and I are not that lawgiver. We are not that judge, and in fact when we act as if we are that lawgiver and that judge we are committing a sin, the same sin that Satan committed. We are saying to God that we are better than God and his law and his judgments are not good enough so we need to intervene and judge for God. How do you think the just judge of the universe feels about that?
Verse 12 the continues "he who is able to save and to destroy". Judgement's that you or I make are incapable of saving or destroying. The law that we make up for ourselves (that we then fail to keep, yet hold others accountable too) cannot save anyone even if they were kept. God is the one who can save and he is the one who can destroy. God is the one who shows grace and that one who will judge. Both of these things are important to remember. We cannot ever forget the justice of God. There will be people who God sends into hell for all eternity and the only difference between us and them is not that we are better but that we have been shown grace.
Which brings us to the concluding statement of this passage: "But who are you to judge your neighbor?" The answer is no one. The answer is: "I am not the judge, and I am no better than the person I am trying to judge. I am a lawbreaker who the judge has shown grace to." If we understand this Gospel, that Christ died for us while we were enemies with him, then we cease to judge others and instead we will share His Gospel with them and we will let God be the judge.
