Don’t Let a Critical Spirit Steal Your Joy

Discernment recognizes something that is wrong because it wants to help, heal, protect, or improve.

A critical spirit develops a habit of looking for what’s wrong.

And if we’re not careful, criticism can become so normal that we don’t even realize we’re doing it anymore.

A critical spirit doesn’t just affect the people around you. It changes something inside of you.

Before you become an expert on somebody else’s faults, examine your own heart.

1. A Critical Spirit Blinds You to the Good

A critical spirit magnifies what’s wrong and minimizes what’s right.

2. A Critical Spirit Damages Relationships

Every time you speak to somebody, you’re doing one of two things:
You’re building something or you’re tearing something down.

Spiritually mature people don’t just care about being right.
They care about restoring people.

Before you say something, ask:
“Is what I’m about to say going to build this person, or am I simply releasing my frustration?”

People don’t need you constantly reminding them of everything that’s wrong with them. They need someone who can see what God is developing in them.

What would happen if the church became known more for being encouragers than critics?

Never underestimate what encouragement can unlock in somebody.

3. A Critical Spirit Reveals Something in Our Own Heart

Jesus is saying:
“Before you examine everybody else, examine yourself.”

Sometimes what irritates us about everybody else isn’t really about everybody else.
It’s revealing something happening inside of us.

“What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Sometimes we need to ask:
“God, what’s happening in me?”

It’s difficult to look down on someone when you remember how far God reached down to save you.

Everybody around her had stones.
Jesus had grace.
They saw a sinner deserving condemnation.
Jesus saw a person worth restoring.

Drop the stone.
Because the closer you get to Jesus, the more aware you become of your own need for grace.
And people who know they need grace become much better at giving grace.

We have to change what we’re looking for.
If you’re looking for something to criticize, you’ll find it.

What happens when we intentionally start looking for the good?

James tells us: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

Before we criticize, we need to slow down.
Before you say it, ask three questions:
Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Can I say it in love?

Sometimes the most Godly thing you can do is simply not say it.

Three Things to Remember:
1. A Critical Spirit Blinds You to the Good
2. A Critical Spirit Damages Relationships
3. A Critical Spirit Reveals Something in Your Own Heart

Jesus didn’t call us to become professional fault-finders.
We are called to be grace-givers.

Don’t become so good at finding what’s wrong that you lose the ability to celebrate what’s right.

Let's put down the stone.
Pick up grace.
Choose encouragement.
And become the kind of person who leaves people stronger after they’ve been around you.