BACKBITING (James 1.26)

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”  (James 1,26)

In certain Christian circles, the focus can be on religion rather than relationship. Do we dress like Christians? Do we go to church? Do we sing certain songs? Do we ascribe to certain proper doctrines? Do we even wear Christian T-shirts and listen to only Christian music?

This is all well and good until we are betrayed by our tongue. When we strive so hard to look the part, but cannot keep our tongue in check, we show that all our religion is practically worthless. In this way, we like to slander, to speak ill of someone on his back.

 we're passionate about it. We are victims. To speak ill of someone gives us so much pleasure. Let the one whose tongue has never persisted cast the first stone. We may know that it is bad to say bad things about someone, but we can't help it. In the family, at work, between friends, in church, backbiding reigns: what is behind these little perfidies, a little shameful but so much fun?

Backbiting is malicious talk, i.e. an immediate tendency to divulge, without any particular intention, that which is prejudicial to the consideration of others. In this sense, it is something contrary to the respect due to someone, a contempt. To despise the other is to deny him the respect that is due to every man. This is bad faith.

James gives the reason by writing: “Those…do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless’.   What exactly it means to “keep a tight rein on [the] tongue” is worth considering. Is it ok to indulge in evil thoughts in our hearts, but manage to have the ability to keep the mouth shut? Perhaps that is a start, but Jesus constantly draws our attention to the condition of the heart and what is in it that would end up producing words and actions. To begin to rein in the tongue, seek to be transformed by reining in your thinking (Ro 12:2; Phil 4:8). On the other hand, James uses the term “religious” here to refer to someone is a faithful Christian. James is saying that if you consider yourself a faithful follower of God, you will have self-control concerning the tongue. It is all well and good to consider yourself faithful, but what matters is how you actually live.

This means that backbiting is deadly and very dangerous besetting sin in the church. This is a sin that we use our tongue to recruit others to fulfill its endeavor while destroying a person, a community, nations and even countries. It destroys families, churches, friendships, businesses, careers etc. This besetting begins like the water fall above and pour and pour until is spreads all around far and wide soaking and affecting everything as the waterfall below. 

In this perspective, the apostle James writes: "Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. Whoever speaks evil of a brother, or judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not an observer of the law, but a judge of it. ( James. 4:11).

Despite its bad reputation, backbiting has a positive function: to transmit the norms and values of the group. By pointing out what not to do and stigmatizing those who transgress, it acts as a control mechanism. It puts pressure on those who stray from the path.

Let us remember that Paul lists backbiting among the sins that bring divine wrath. "Gossipers, backbiters, ungodly, arrogant, haughty, boastful, crafty in evil..." (Rom 1:30).

Consequently, we must know how to use this language "which serves us to bless the Lord, and which also serves us to curse men who are created in the image of God" (James 3:5-9). Blessing-from the Latin “benedicere”, to say well-or cursing is a life choice. "Bless" or “slander” is an option in our walk before the Lord. Mary and Aaron's slander against Moses was punished by God (Num 12).  And, as always, God leaves the choice of weapons to men.

However, there is one thing to remember: there are no walls against slander. It is in this perspective that Denys Cato rightly underlines in this poem:

"Living well, of slander

Let the lines fly without worrying about them;

Of the speeches of the public the indomitable license

Is a fiery torrent that cannot be stopped".

 

Jimi ZACKA, PhD