Are You Critical?

Are You Critical?

The instructions in regards to being critical of others is very simple, "Don't." It appears that the average Christian is the most critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The effect of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mode. Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and this leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over time. You must constantly beware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior individual.

There is no escaping the penetrating search of our lives by Jesus. If we see the speck in our neighbor's eye, it means that we have a plank of timber in our own (Matthew 7:3-5). Each wrong thing that we see in others, God also finds in us. Each time we judge, we condemn ourselves (Romans 2:17-24). Refrain having a measuring stick for others. There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person's situation. The very first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleaning. After that, there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.