Aim: To be prudent with our words (while staying within our rightful bounds).
Doctrine: Slanderous Christians presume on God's role—all the while doing the devil's work. There is a proper place for the church to make judgments on members, but only in truth; and always in subjection to the Word of God.
Exegesis: Who qualifies as a brother and a judge: a fallen brother is a forgiven saint—no longer under the law's condemnation (v. 11); the ultimate Judge is a just God—who does all things well and righteously (v. 12a); Christ alone is the church's perfect Brother and Judge (v. 12b).
Further application: Why we are to be cautious with our speech: because what we say other true believers, we aver about Jesus Himself.
Key verse: v. 11 ''Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.''
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Rev. Mark Henninger received his Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and he has been Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois for more than 30 years.