I. Intro: The passage begins with the last and the final, the eleventh Imperative (an imperative in grammatical context, is a command; so the idea is something that we must obey). James gives this last and the final imperative to the believers in the Diaspora Christian Community. And the command is that they are not to speak against one another or slander. And this is the theme that James dealt in earlier chapter (3:1-12). Yet it’s so important that James is instructing the believers again.
II. What is slander?
1. Slander is not an evaluation. Evaluation is done in order to promote improvement for an individual or to create more effective atmosphere for a group. Even within the church setting, leaders evaluate. And so evaluation is overall constructive and it is done in any and every group setting. However, slander is neither constructive nor necessary. Slander is not an evaluation.
2. Slander is not gossip. Slander often times develops from gossip and results from gossip but slander still isn’t gossip. There is a specific word used to mean gossip in Greek (Phlualoi 1Tim 5:13), and it literally means “unnecessary talk” but there is a different Greek word used for slander. The word for slander is katalalias (as in today's passage), which literally means “to speak evil against” or simply “to slander.” Christians are not to gossip, but still slander does not equate with gossip.
3. Slander is speaking falsehood about a person in attempt to tarnish the person’s reputation. The actual English definition of slander is “defamation,” which means “to damage the good reputation of.” And so in today’s passage, James commands the believers not to just talk less, but not to defame one another. And James gives the audience two reasons why not to slander.
III. Believers are not to slander because:
1. Slander speaks against the law: Christians are not to slander because it speaks against the law. The most important law of God comes from Matthew 22 (Mark 12). In Matthew 22, God’s people are instructed to love God with all their heart, mind and soul and to love the neighbors as self. So the greatest law is love, loving God and neighbors. And so when slander takes place, it is a direct challenge and opposition to the law of God. Hence, slander is not merely directed towards a person, but it is also directed against God’s law. Slander speaks against God’s law of love.
2. Slander is demonstration of arrogance: Slander results from judging others. However, there is only one who can judge, and he is God. Thus, when slander takes place, the person, who slanders, is placing himself in equal terms with God. So slander is demonstration of exalting of self in equality with God. Hence, slander is demonstration of arrogance.
IV. Believers are to love others.
If there is a person with psychosis (chemical imbalance in brain) and he is harming others as result, addressing the issue or just punishing the person will not resolve the matter. Until the root problem of chemical imbalance is dealt with, the problem will continue. In the same way, merely telling others not to slander will not resolve the issue because slander is the surface problem. The root problem is lacking in genuine love for others. Christians are to understand that genuine love is to be demonstrated between the believers.
V. Conclusion: As Christians, we are to expect slander from non-believers. Non-believers slander one another, God's people and God, and they are expected because God and the world are in opposition. But believers in Christ are not to slander one another because it opposes God and demonstrates arrogance; instead Christians are to love one another.
Application
In order to genuinely love one another, we are to be humble. Humility is the beginning of all things. If you are humble, you will not judge others. If you are humble, you will not think of yourself more highly than others. If you are humble, you will be able to love others genuinely with selfless love.
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