I am so glad that the Canadian political elections are over, at least for a time. The rancor, vitriolic, spiteful language that spewed from “pillar to post” left the political landscape scarred with the self-righteous who believed their cause was greater than the other. What was further disheartening was how those who professed Christ and His love were so easily drawn into this vortex of hateful language.

What we often see on the political scene is often reflected in other segments of society and unfortunately in the church. The same language, the same intensity of emotion and the same need for rightness often drives a wedge deep into the heart of believers. The Psalmist understood the heart break that accompanies such division. “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has magnified himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng” (55:12-14).

What can cause such division? Earlier James speaks of the need for disciplined speech and a controlled tongue (3:1-12). Here he speaks of language that is slanderous and divisive. “Do not speak against/slander one another, brethren. The one who slanders brother or judges/condemns his brother slanders the law and judges the law.”

How so you may ask? “If you keep the royal law (royal is the language of the King) according to the scriptures, ‘Love/agape your neighbour as yourself, you do well'” (2:8). The apostle Paul phrases it this way. “For all the law has been fulfilled in one word. You will love your neighbour as yourself”. The law is not about “do’s and don’ts” as much as loving God and others. Slanderous language violates the royal law.

With what consequence? “If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of the law”. That’s clear. Love must be walked out, not talked out. “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy” (12) and we are not that One. Therefore James asks us, very pointedly, “who are you to judge your neighbour?” (12).

“If you bite and devour one another” (used metaphorically of wounding the soul or rending with reproaches – Vines) see that you are not consumed by one another”( Gal.5:15).

Slanderous language feeds in upon itself and is always destructive, not only to one’s own soul but in creating division and alienation. Love/agape language builds, encourages and strengthens one’s own soul and others. There can never be self-justification for seeking to destroy the character and integrity of another, regardless of how much we may disagree. It is hypocritical to invoke the name of God as if to justify our own position in order to tear down another. The slanderous language only betrays the hardness of one’s own heart.

So how do we move forward? The Psalmist again understood his own propensity to slander. “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps.141:3). Check your heart and the language you use. Are you quick to judge and slander? Is your first response to tear down rather than build up? Or are you known as a builder and restorer of the ancient places? It really is time to give it a rest and love as Christ loves, unconditionally.

Blessings!