Partial Judges of Evil Thoughts James 2:4

As James shared with the “twelve tribes scattered abroad”, he instructed them concerning the people who came into their assembly who were both “rich” and “poor”. They were not to have “respect of persons” by seating the “wealthy” in prominent places and making the “in-affluent” stand or sit in lower places. In chapter two and verse four of his letter, James asked his readers whether they were “partial in” themselves like unto “judges of evil thoughts”. We read:

Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

The verse begins, “Are you not then partial in yourselves,...” James began with the words, “Are you not then partial” which means or “separate, distinct, discriminate and withdrawn from” “in yourselves” which refers to the people within “the twelve tribes scattered abroad”. If the people within the “twelve tribes” were having “respect” to the wealthy people who entered their “assembly” and disparaging toward those who were “poor”, they were “discriminating and separating” themselves from people whom God loves.

The verse goes on to say, “... and are become judges of evil thoughts?” James continued, “and are become” which means “appearing, performing and acting as” “judges” which means “those who pass or arrogate judgment upon others such as an arbiter” “of evil” or “annoying, hard, harassing, toiling, perilous, wicked and hurtful” “thoughts” which refers to “inward reasoning, deliberations, purpose and design which questions what is true”. If James' readers were “partial” they would make themselves “arrogant arbitrators” with “wicked” thinking.

When we think through these words of James, we are exhorted not to pass judgment upon people just because of their status or way they dress. By segregating ourselves from people just because of their “station” in life, we exalt ourselves as “judges” with “wicked” thinking over them. Jesus Christ desires for all people to come to Him regardless of their social status, and this was declared through the apostle Mark in Mark in chapter twelve and verse thirty-seven, “and the common people heard him gladly”. May we emulate our Lord Jesus in our management of people.

Next time James shares how “the poor are rich in faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.