Jesus was on the mount quoting Law and then adding, “But I say unto you ….” Some may have thought that Jesus was negating or nullifying the Law, but nothing could have been farther from the truth. There has always been a struggle by many to understand the relationship between the old and new covenants, but in our passage, Jesus is pretty clear about that relationship.
Apparently, James heard that certain members of local churches were guilty of criticizing one another, slandering one another, and judging one another, so James writes in no uncertain terms that this is wrong. I believe James is telling us that it is wrong to think we know what another person is going through or understand the pain the drives their actions. It is wrong to assume we can see a person’s heart and know their motives. It is wrong to judge another person when we have never taken the time to talk with them, weep with them or pray with them. James addresses this issue head on in verse 11 and 12.
