THE UNCRITICAL TEMPER by Oswald Chambers

sermonindex Jun 17, 2010

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." Matthew 7:1

Jesus says regarding judging - Don't. The average Christian is the most penetratingly critical individual. Criticism is a part of the ordinary faculty of man; but in the spiritual domain nothing is accomplished by criticism. The effect of criticism is a dividing up of the powers of the one criticized; the Holy Ghost is the only One in the true position to criticize, He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into communion with God when you are in a critical temper; it makes you hard and vindictive and cruel, and leaves you with the flattering unction that you are a superior person. Jesus says, as a disciple cultivate the uncritical temper. It is not done once and for all. Beware of anything that puts you in the superior person's place.

There is no getting away from the penetration of Jesus. If I see the mote in your eye, it means I have a beam in my own. Every wrong thing that I see in you, God locates in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-20). Stop having a measuring rod for other people. There is always one fact more in every man's case about which we know nothing. The first thing God does is to give us a spiritual spring-cleaning; there is no possibility of pride left in a man after that. I have never met the man I could despair of after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.

H

HeartSong Jun 17, 2010

The effect of criticism is a dividing up of the powers of the one criticized; the Holy Ghost is the only One in the true position to criticize, He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding.

M

mguldner Jun 17, 2010

Thank you for posting this, God has been working on a daily basis on my critical spirit. I find that for me it doesn't rise when I see someone weaker in faith than me but when I see someone in a higher position does something that isn't biblically sound, I know this is rooted in pride may God give me the Grace to cut this spirit at its roots. He has been showing me ever since I was awakened in spirit that I am the worst sinner of all He continues to make this revelation deeper as I dig into His word. Thank you for the reminder :)

God Bless,
Matthew

A

Areadymind Jun 17, 2010

If we spent twice as much time praying for those whom we have a desire to be critical toward, than we did criticizing them, we would probably have half as much reason to be critical (at least.)

I am amazed at how many times in the last few years I have seen flaws in others that needed to be dealt with, but rather than complain, I just took it to Jesus, and amazingly he dealt with it better than I ever could have. Even on a few occasions I was approached and told that the Lord had changed their minds and attitudes about things I was concerned about. And I had never even said a thing to them.

I guess it shouldn't surprise me. If we are a body, and one member see's a need, send the message to the head through prayer, and see if the head does not re-direct the member in question.

Great Article. Oswald Chambers has blessed me so many times.

A

Areadymind Jun 17, 2010

After thinking about this for a while, I also realized that praying for others often changed my heart toward them more often than it did change even them.

M

mguldner Jun 18, 2010

It's so very Critical for us as Christians to not be so critical of others :) I listened to a Zac Poonen message that helped me in this area I think it was a featured sermon one time I think it was called the Way of Cain, Brother Zac points out that Satan is the Accuser of the Brethen and when He accuses us he isn't lying to God but telling the truth, so he is always looking for people generally Christians to be his mouthpiece by justifying our critical accusing spirit with saying it's the truth and so okay to say. However Jesus is also in heaven and He is interceding for the Saints and He is looking for Christians to be His mouthpiece of Intercession rather than critism and accusation. We must be careful which entity we are speaking for.

J

Jesudoss Jun 18, 2010

Thanks bro.Greg for this post.

I remind myself of some verses in the Godpel according to John.
John 7: 24
24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
NASU
To the same crowd He said in vs 34:
John 7:34
34 "You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come."
NASU
Is this the reward will one get by judging others according to appearance?

Again in John 8:

John 8:15
15 "You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.
NASU
To the same group He again said in vs 21
John 8:21
21 Then He said again to them, "I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come."
NASU
Our Lord's last cry to the Jewish public (I think this is the last message before crucifixion to the general public):

John 12:47
47 "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
NASU
I could only cry,"Lord save me".