The Honorable Judge "______" Presiding

James 5:9
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

What is a grudge? The Bible defines this word as a groan or sigh. It tells us that Jesus sighed and looked up to Heaven for His Father to open the mouth and ears of a man. Paul uses this word as groan in the explaining of our bodies groaning for deliverance. He says that this tabernacle groans (sighs) because it is burdened. In these scriptures the same Greek word is used here in James, but the application is different.

He tells us that we should not grudge (groan or sigh) against another brother or sister in Christ. We should not be divided and grieve one another. We are to be known in this world by our love for one another and not our grudging against one another. Do you see how different this words meaning can become because of the word "against"?

Look at what James says... "Lest ye be condemned:..." How can we be condemned? Is it because the other person that we are grudging against us is eventually going to judge us? It very well could be. Maybe it's because someday we will stand before Christ and give an account of our grudging? This is true. Someday we will give an account of our actions and even our thoughts before the Lord Jesus, but look closer in the context of this scripture.

"Behold, the judge (lower case) standeth before the door." That's right! The one who is doing the grudging could eventually find out that you are condemning yourself. It may just be you who is presiding as the honorable, or probably humbled and embarrassed, judge at the door. One person said it like this... "Be careful when you point your finger at someone (grudge against them) because three more are pointed back at you." Too often Christians blow their sighs at those who have fallen only to find themselves in the same situation shortly. Look at what God tells us to actually do when we see someone who has fallen to sin.

Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

So don't just blow your hot air (grudging) about the wrong of the brethren, help them understand the truth of the error. Because it could be you in the defendants seat some day.