Do you have a Critical Spirit? By Dr. Dale A. Robbins
Romans 14:10 �Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
(12) And so each of us shall give an account of himself - give an answer in reference to judgment - to God.
(13) Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.� (The Amplified Bible)
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines criticism as �an act of criticizing; to judge as a critic; to find fault; to blame or condemn.�
As we have read, the scriptures tell us not to tear down our brethren through criticism or judgment, as this can pose a serious stumbling-block and cause irreparable damage to their faith.
Among God�s warnings to us in scripture, there are none more somber or serious than His warning to not become a stumbling block to His followers. �...whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea� (Matt. 18:6).
There�s an old saying that �We tend to judge others by their actions, and we judge ourselves by our intentions.� The truth is, we cannot rightly judge anyone else, because we do not know the contents of their heart. We should be content to judge only ourselves and seek to bring our own lives in alignment with God�s Word (1 Cor. 11:31).
What Exactly is a Critical Spirit? - A �critical spirit,� is an obsessive attitude of criticism and fault-finding, which seeks to tear others down � not the same thing as what is sometimes called �constructive criticism.� The only criticism that is ever constructive is that which is expressed in love to �build up,� not to tear down � it is always expressed face-to-face, never behind their back.
The person with a critical spirit usually dwells on the negative, seeks for flaws rather than good. They�re a complainer, usually always upset, and generally have a problem or a complaint about something. They often have little control over their tongue, their temper, and have tendencies for gossip and slander, which Paul said were sins �worthy of death� (Rom. 1:29-32).
What Causes a Critical Spirit?
1. Negativeness - A bad attitude and a negative view of life. A person may have unconfessed sin in their life (Rom. 2:1), or may harbor unforgiveness or bitterness toward someone who may have offended them (Heb. 12:15).
2. Insecurity - Criticism is often a subconscious means to �elevate one�s own self image.� By putting others down, they are inwardly trying to feel more important or that �they know more.� Jealousy toward the spiritual victories of others is often the cause of criticism and belittling comments. Popular ministers of the Gospel are often the target of such tactics.
3. Immaturity - Believers must always keep their focus upon Christ and His Word, not man, who will often fail (Heb. 12:2). The young or immature believer who has not progressed very far in their own faith, remain overly dependent upon the faith of those within the body of Christ. Unfortunately, when they begin to notice the flaws in their brethren, subconsciously, this becomes a threat to their own sense of victory. Criticism becomes a reaction of disappointment, because their expectations in others have been crushed.
4. An Unrenewed Mind - Put-downs, making-fun-of, criticism, sarcasm are the world�s ways of reacting to the faults of people. However, as Christians we don�t behave this way. Our thinking and attitude should be renewed by the Word of God, which teaches us to bear the infirmities of the weak, to love, and show compassion and encouragement (Rom. 12:2).
5. The Devil - As we may realize, the Devil specializes in influencing obsessive behavior. He may use any or all of the above channels, or other techniques, to influence a complaining or critical attitude to stir up turmoil and strife within the body of Christ (Eph. 6:12). We must be on guard that none of us would be used as a tool of the Devil to bring harassment or discouragement upon our brothers or sisters through continual criticism, as the Bible warns us not to �give place� to the Devil (Eph. 4:27). Remember that Satan is specifically called �the accuser of the brethren� (Rev. 12:10). Are you an accuser of the brethren? - The Bible says that the reason that we are to come together as a church is, not to criticize, but to �exhort� (encourage) one another (Hebrews 10:25). �Cursing the darkness� won�t change anything, but we must light a candle and �expose the light� of God�s Word. By sharing the truth of God�s Word, and encouraging people to live in its truth, people will change. Love and encouragement is a �motivational force.�
If we ever hope to bring improvement in others, we need to become people of encouragement. This is the only attitude that will change people, and our actions and words must be devoted to encouraging the spiritual progress of our brethren.
The Christian�s tongue should never be used for anything but good. �Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk (ever) come out of your mouth; but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God�s favor) to those who hear it� (Eph. 4:29 The Amplified Bible).
Prescription For a Healthy Mind - A number of years ago, Dr. David H. Fink, a psychiatrist for the veterans administration, wrote an article for Coronet Magazine, entitled, �Release from Nervous Tension.� In his article, he outlined his research into the causes of mental and emotional disturbances.
From over 10,000 case studies, he discovered that there was a common trait with all his patients who suffered from severe tension. They were habitual fault-finders, constant critics of people and things around them. Those who were free from tension, were the least critical. His conclusions were that the habit of fault-finding is a prelude or mark of the nervous, or the mentally unbalanced. Those who wish to retain good emotional and mental health, should learn to free themselves from a negative and critical attitude.
Remember this, the Bible doesn�t promise peace to those who dwell on the faults of others! It says that the Lord will keep them in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on Him! (Isaiah 26:3).
All who acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord belong to His Body, which is the Church.
ROMANS 10:9 NKJ
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
COLOSSIANS 1:24 NKJ
24 . . . the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 NKJ
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
EPHESIANS 5:30 NKJ
30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
The Church, or Body of Christ, is composed of many members. Not every member has the same function or calling. God did not create or call each member to do the same thing.
Others Are Important
We should recognize other parts of the Body of Christ and not criticize them. God has not given to any of us full and complete understanding of everything. Because we do not know what God has called others to do, we cannot judge whether they are being faithful to do God's will.
We should assist, encourage, bless, and pray for other members of the Body -- just as we would members of our physical body.
Different Tasks - A big temptation is to assume everyone should be doing what God has called us to do. God has made it clear to us, shown us the need and importance -- so that we will do what He has called us to do.
But, we must always remember that we are not the head of the Body of Christ -- we are only members who take our orders from the Head. Because God loves everyone and desires to help them, He calls people to minister to them on a level and in a way that they will receive. Because people will never all be the same, ministers of God will always be different also.
Different Gifts - ROMANS 12:4-8 NKJ
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Many Members - 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12,14,17-27 NKJ
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,
24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,
25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
Each Member Does Its Share - EPHESIANS 4:11-16 NKJ
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ --
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Do Not Judge Others - ROMANS 14:4 NKJ
4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
Most likely, we will not understand, or agree with, all that other members of the Body of Christ may do. That is because our assignment is different, and we do not have all the knowledge that our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, does.
ROMANS 14:10,13 NKJ
10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.
Division - The devil wants to bring division and strife to the Body of Christ -- over anything -- in any possible way. We must resist the devil and walk with God in peace and love.
MARK 3:24 NKJ - 24 "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:3 NKJ - 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
JUDE 1:19 NKJ - 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
TITUS 3:10 NKJ - 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
1 CORINTHIANS 1:10,13 NKJ - 10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
13 Is Christ divided? . . . .
Love As Christ - When we criticize others who claim to be following Jesus, we show our spiritual immaturity. Jesus commanded us to love with an unselfish, self-sacrificing love. He said people would know those who were His followers because they would display His kind of love.
JOHN 13:34-35 NKJ - 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
