For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in, and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘Sit here in a good place;’ and you tell the poor man, ‘Stand there,’ or ‘Sit by my footstool’ haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? James 2:2-4 WEB
James’ teaching about “judges with evil thoughts” is in agreement with the words of our Lord and Savior. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-3, “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? WEB”
When we show favoritism to others based upon their material wealth, James says that we “become judges with evil thoughts.” In other words, giving preference to wealthy individuals demonstrates a love of material things that exceeds our devotion to God. Showing favoritism to the wealthy violates Jesus’ command that we love one another as he loves us. Devotion to wealth violates the command to place God above all other things.
In God’s sight, we are all stained by sin. As the prophet wrote in Isaiah 64:6, “For we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. WEB” Judging others by sight, we expose hypocrisy in ourselves for receiving God’s mercy but not extending mercy to others.
Full of Hypocrisy and Iniquity
Our sins pollute our own righteousness and yet God, in his mercy, offers forgiveness to each of us. Although our righteousness is like filthy tattered clothing, the Lord forgave us, coving each repentant sinner in the righteousness of Christ. And so, James rightfully teaches believers to extend the same courtesy to everyone regardless of outward appearance. God commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves without regard to material wealth or social status.
Jesus, like James, exposed the sinfulness and hypocrisy of those who value looking good over being good. Our Savior said in Matthew 23:27-28, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for your patience and mercy. Thank you for the lessons recorded in your holy word. Give me wisdom to judge rightly and not as one who judges with evil thoughts. Guide me to live in accordance with your will. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: A Time for Every Purpose
