“Judges with Evil Thoughts”

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? –James 2:1-4

We are not able to judge anything on our own. Our natures are corrupt, which leads us to judge by a false standard rather than by what truly counts. In all things the glory of the Lord is our standard and the rule to judge is his word. James command not to judge according to appearance is familiar to us. Indeed, it is a rule taught throughout our world, without Scriptural support. Indeed, we take it for granted, and view it as common sense. However, the truth is that we are capable of corrupting common sense, and need the rule of the Word to help us discern and judge ourselves, and others, aright.

The world tells us not to judge by a person’s appearance. The world is in agreement with Scripture on this point, but the two are ultimately opposed to each other in their motivations for doing so. The world does not simply believe we are not to judge based on appearance – it does not believe we are to judge at all. But in these verses, James is not barring the Church from passing judgment, but rather from passing judgment’s based on our own understanding.

As Christians we have to judge. If we do not, we will not be able to discern our own spiritual needs or those of the saints we have been called to serve. Scripture alone allows us to discern those needs. Indeed, rather than separating us as James warns in this passage, the word of God drives us toward those who are deprived spiritually or materially, be they rich or poor. All of us need the Word because all of us need Jesus. We need to continually feed upon the Gospel message of faith and repentance; and we need to take care that we administer the bread of life to all we come in contact with. Rich or poor all need Christ; and all of us need him all the time. When we make distinctions based on appearance we deprive people of the Word. Indeed, when such distinctions are made, it is probable that no one, rich or poor, will be receiving the gospel truth.