Over the weekend I had a conversation with a family member, someone I love and I know they love me as well. However, every single thing I said to them, they had something critical to say back, I kept trying to turn the conversation around but it just didn’t happen.
By the time the conversation was done I was exhausted and hurt. I cried for a few minutes. And then God began to show me some things about a critical spirit.
First of all a critical spirit will hinder the blessings of God from working in your life. A critical spirit will take your peace. A negative attitude is doubt and unbelief and God simply can’t work in that atmosphere.
I asked God to show me any areas where I was making people feel as this person had made me feel, and He did. I repented and made a commitment not to do that anymore.
You see, I am a person who wants everything done right…and usually I have a better or easier way to do it. LOL! I have been doing this a long time and I have learned what works and what doesn’t work. However, I need to be more careful with my words and instructions.
I have a friend who says ‘give a person everything they need to succeed and they will succeed.’ I think of this saying very often. If you encourage a person they will do better. If you discourage them they will not meet your expectations and disappoint you. I have seen people…through encouraging words or shouts, win ballgames when they were the underdog. I have seen people complete a task they didn’t think they had the ability to do simply because someone encouraged them and told them they could do it.
Life and death are in the power of our tongue. With our words we lift up or tear down. And if you are tearing down, you will be torn down. The Bible says with what manner we judge, we will be judged. If you are being critical and judgmental of others God is giving you the same measure.
James 4:11 in the New Living Bible says; “Don’t speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and condemning God’s law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is right or wrong. Your job is to obey it.”
In the Message Bible it says; “Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. What are you doing with your words? Are you building up or tearing down. Are you encouraging someone or are you causing them to hurt until they cry? Keep in mind, what you are measuring out will be measured to you again.”
I don’t know about you but I don’t want to hurt anyone. I can’t use the excuse that I know a better way. Or that what I am saying is just facts, hurt is hurt and we have no right to hurt or judge anyone. We are to treat them the way we want to be treated and the way God treats us, with mercy, love and never ending endurance.
Criticism BLOCKS YOUR BLESSINGS. A critical spirit will STOP GOD FROM WORKING IN YOUR LIFE. Take a look at your heart today and make any adjustments necessary. I want you and I walking in the fullness of his blessings, as does He, but we have to do it his way and his way is love, mercy and kindness.
