Criticism
This is generally perceived as a negative word. It means finding fault, passing judgment or analyzing just about anything and everything. Some are naturally wired to analyze and find the “holes” in just about any plan or strategy. I must confess this is a hard concept to keep in check. I work in a very competitive environment and it’s hard to not be critical of a competitor. A wise person told me that I should be critical of myself with the same measuring tool that I use with others.
The top Israelite leadership was Moses, along with his brother Aaron & sister, Miriam. Moses had a very tight relationship with God. Aaron and Miriam were a bit jealous and complained about Moses, but the Lord overheard. Check this out….
5 Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words:
“When there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams.
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”
9 The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them. (Numbers 12:5-9 NLT)
If I remembered that the Lord hears my criticism of others, I might be more careful to keep it in check. I think criticism comes from a place of insecurity and inferiority. If I can put others down, it makes me feel bigger. But the opposite is true. The more I can encourage others, instead of be critical, the more I’m blessed and encouraged. My confidence can grow when I don’t compare myself to others – I simply seek to serve and inspire others to the best of my ability.
If I’m working on myself – trying to be the best version of myself that I can be, then I have way less time to be critical or judgmental of others.
My critical spirit speaks more about who I am than who or what the other person is doing or not doing.
Pressing On!
Dwayne