The Critics

Many people like to criticize. They know how to do things and therefore, know how people should be doing them and how they should be living. They also feel free to point out your flaws to you or to others. It is not surprising; we have all had many years of schooling and many critical teachers and one really bad one, the devil.

Of course, there is constructive criticism done in love that we all need and can greatly benefited by. However, most people criticize others because, that is how they deal with themselves and have also learned from others. We also need to discern between conviction by God when He points out sin and areas of growth, and the condemnation of the devil. (Romans 8:1) The conviction or correction by God is to lead us to abundant life. (John 10:10)

Pierre Burton in his book, Why We Act Like Canadians, says the difference between Canadians and Americans as far as leadership is concerned, is that Canadians set up leaders and then criticize and them throw rocks at them, where the general tendency in the USA is to be more supportive of leaders and give them honor. Pierre of course is speaking in generalities. In the Bible the Israelites grumbled many times against Moses as God led them out of bondage in Egypt and to the promised land. (Exodus 14:11-12) There grumbling got them exactly what they didn’t want. They didn’t enter the promised land, the next generation did.

What is the difference between evaluation and discernment and criticism. Sure, we need to discern someone’s character and evaluate the truth they hold in their thinking and their life, but evaluation and discernment is more concerned in adding to people’s lives, if they are willing. (1 Corinthians 2:14; Philippians 1:9; Hebrew 4:12; 5:14; Malachi 3:18)

Often people are jealous of other people and therefore want to find fault to bring them down to the level, they feel about themselves. The world is full of critics that are arm chair quarterbacks telling others how they should live the Christian life, even when they themselves may not be Christians, meanwhile giving themselves a pass.

Then there are the inner critics. There is the psychological critic that we developed growing up and how we interpreted our world and ourselves. There are negative approaches to life and ourselves and these must be corrected with the truth. There are misconceptions about our world and ourselves that we have emotionally adopted, but that can be forsaken or corrected. Satan loves to piggyback off of the inner critic.

Then there are the social critics. These have to do with how we are treated by others and things they have said. This has to do with the past. We can get our identity from other people or from the truth and God.

There is also the criticism of Satan. His objective is to destroy you and bring you under subjection to him. (John 10:10) He leads you into sin and away from God and then he brings things crashing down and when you sin, he condemns you to bring you even further into subjection to him. Satan is the great condemner. He even condemns Christians that are growing with great devotion and discipline in Christlikeness and inner holiness. They ,however, are trained by practice in spiritual warfare. (Hebrews 5:14)

As the word of God says we are to fight the good fight. (1 Timothy 6:12) To truly counteract the condemnation of the devil we need to be “in Christ” and be moving forward in our love, devotion and service to God and in advancing His kingdom. Ignore this fight and you will be coaxed into a shallow life of just getting by. A largely wasted life in what ultimately matters, to a life of ease and discontent.

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32) This freedom does not come without a fight. There is a fight to come to saving faith in Christ and there is a fight to walk in that fullness. (Ephesians 3:19) Those who go into battle know what it is to enter the fight in spite of fear. We must do the same spiritually and in service to the Lord. Let us have courage in the Lord. Let us as the Apostle Paul said set our sights on the prize of the “upward call of God” (Philippians 3:14) which is to honor Jesus, be true to the truth and express our love and gratitude to Him in how we live and serve Him. Jesus said, “Freely you have received freely give” (Matthew 10:8)

Live a life that adds to other people’s lives instead of criticizing them. Look for ways God is working in their lives and come along side what God is doing in their lives. Advance in the love of God in spite of the critics and counteract them with Jesus and the truth. Also, know your full identity in Christ.

At the same time, we need to use great Biblical and Spiritual discernment and wisdom. Pray for our leaders, especially in the church and in the world. Pray that there would be leaders that truly honor God. Prayer is the first step in adding to people’s lives and in true prayer God changes how we view people and circumstances. It is the look of faith.