command, perhaps rationalizing that it is too stringent, that the miserable things being said about them by other Christians demands a return in kind, that “the best way to fight fire is with fire.” James answers this with two parallel arguments. SELF-ELEVATION ABOVE THE LAW (v. 11b) James’ first argument is that when you speak against other believers, you exalt yourself above the Law. “Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him, speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the