Devotion for Monday, July 25, 2022

“Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it” (James 4:11).

Think of what people like the least in the church and other organizations.  Is it not those who, in the background, spread rumors and tell stories?  And we do not stop them.  This is the curse of wickedness.  The Lord is a God of order, not chaos.  Good order follows what is right.  You and I hold the positions we hold and we should not listen to those who act as if they were in a position that is not theirs.

Lord, help me to see this clearly so that I may grow in faith and by Your admonition.  If I have spoken sinfully, forgive me and change my heart to not speak in this way.  Teach me to be forthright and a willing disciple, lifting up the saints according to Your good and gracious Word.  I have shared gossip.  Help me be one who stops it.  Teach me to be no one’s judge, nor live with judgement in my heart.

Lord Jesus, You did not come into the world to judge the world, for the world is judged already.  You came in order that all who come unto You might have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me Lord in the way of the abundant life.  Guide me according to Your goodness and mercy.  In You Lord is there all hope and the way of eternal life.  Prepare me through grace to live the life to which I am called.  Amen.