Devotional Title: "I’m Better Than You" (Said Every Human, Ever)

“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”

We’ve all had moments where the thought crossed our minds:

“I would never do that.”
“Who even acts like that in public?”
“Wow… I’m definitely better than them.”

Sometimes it’s subtle. Other times, it’s loud in our minds.

If you know me, you probably know I was raised to chew with my mouth closed, especially in public.

So imagine my horror when I got to college and found myself surrounded by classmates in the dining hall who smacked. Loudly. Every single minuscule burst of food moisture was announced with a dramatic smack that echoed like a drumline through the cafeteria.

What did I, a civilized human say in my mind?
“How can anyone have this little self-awareness?”
“Didn’t their parents teach them better?”
“Seriously, what is wrong with these people?”

It sounds petty. But if we’re honest, most of us have had those moments:

Judgment. Comparison. Superiority.

We justify our criticism under the banner of “having higher standards.” But the moment we position ourselves above someone else especially in areas we don’t fully understand we drift into the territory James is warning about: judging others and slandering our neighbors.

James writes to call out this exact behavior. The slander he’s talking about isn’t just gossip, it's speaking against someone with the intent (or posture) of tearing them down, of elevating ourselves by diminishing others. And that kind of judgment doesn’t just hurt people, it places us in a seat only God is worthy to sit in.

James isn’t just talking about gossip here, he’s writing about slander, which means to speak evil of someone, to defame, to tear down another believer behind their back or in our hearts.

But he takes it even further:

“Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.”

What law is James talking about?

Not Roman law. Not constitutional law.
He’s talking about God’s law. When we judge others, we’re doing more than breaking that law, we’re placing ourselves above it, pretending to be its judge.

And who are we to do that?

“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.”

That’s God. And only God.

Only He sees the heart.
Only He knows the full story.
Only He can judge righteously because He alone is righteous.

James ends with a question:

“But you who are you to judge your neighbor?”

This is less of a rhetorical question and more of a wake-up call.
It’s a direct rebuke to our pride and an invitation to humility.

When we judge others, we forget:

Scripture makes it clear that not all forms of judgment are evil. The key difference lies in heart posture and intent. Let’s unpack that through Scripture:

These verses speak against condemning others from a place of pride, hypocrisy, or limited understanding.

We’re constantly surrounded by opportunities to slander, gossip, or cast judgment—whether it’s:

It’s easy to justify judgment.
It’s harder to reflect, repent, and reframe our thoughts.

So how do we resist the urge to judge and start to walk in humility?

If you struggle with judgment or gossip welcome to humanity.
Even the strongest Christians wrestle with prideful thinking.

But today, James reminds us:

There is only one Judge, one Lawgiver, and one Savior.

And it’s not us.

So let’s step down from the throne, and sit at the feet of the One who sees all—perfectly, patiently, and lovingly.

Let’s walk in humility.
Speak with grace.
And leave the judgment to Jesus.