11. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

One thing James doesn’t say here is not to speak lies.  He doesn’t say, "don’t speak lies."  He says, "don’t speak evil (Although this includes speaking lies it doesn’t appear to be limited to that)."

To speak evil actually means to speak against, or to slander a person.  This verse means when we speak about a brother or sister in such a way that it damages their reputation or hurts them in any way.  When we do that, we are setting ourselves up as a judge of what is right rather than a doer of what is right.

If we criticize and judge others than we are guilty as well.  It’s one thing to be able to discern right from wrong and another to be critical of those who are doing wrong.  That criticism doesn’t help them to do what is right anyway!  And we are not in a position to say we are the ultimate authority of right and wrong.  God’s Word is the judge of right and wrong.  We need to take our rightful place and allow God to take His.

Confession:

I will not speak evil against anyone.  I will not accuse or critically judge others.  I realize I am not the ultimate authority on right and wrong.  But God and His Word is.  I will be a doer of what is right rather than a criticizer of what I think is wrong.