We are Not The Judge and Lawgiver

James 4:11-12 

11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

Judging others is not discernment of what they do for or against scripture, it is saying evil things about them as to their perceived motives of the heart which God alone has access to.  If we think the worst and pass judgement, we are actually executing condemnation as a sentence.  Even if we guess right or it is clear that another deserves God’s judgement, we do not sit with the gavel to pass sentence; and for we who are believers in Christ, we should realize we all sit under the same condemnation of judgement (Romans 3:23) apart from grace.  We cannot sit in judgement for the things we do ourselves (Romans 2:3), and should instead humble ourselves and cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:9-14).  By judging and passing sentence ourselves, our pretense for knowledge of the Law and acting as God the Lawgiver only reveals our desire to be in His place in our pride.  Humility understands that we all are under the same condemnation given by His hand alone except for the redeeming grace in which we stand.  He alone can cast into the lake of fire (Luke 12:5), so why do we arrogantly step into His robe when we wear robes of righteousness not our own?  This certainly does not mean we cannot humbly judge with discernment of proven actions contrary to scripture, but that we do not pass sentence with our pride and evil thoughts as if we speak for our Lord.  Otherwise, where would there be church discipline or godly rebuke?