Criticizing and Faultfinding

Criticizing and FaultfindingThe average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The effect of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over a span of time. You must constantly beware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person. There is no escaping the penetrating search of my life by Jesus. If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my own (see Matthew 7:3-5 ). Every wrong thing that I see in you, God finds in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-24 ). Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person’s situation. The first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleaning. After that, there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God. We see where other people are failing, and then we take our discernment and turn it into comments of ridicule and criticism, instead of turning it into intercession on their behalf. God reveals this truth about others to us not through the sharpness of our minds but through the direct penetration of His Spirit. If we are not attentive, we will be completely unaware of the source of the discernment God has given us, becoming critical of others and forgetting that God says, ". . . he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death." Be careful that you don’t become a hypocrite by spending all your time trying to get others right with God before you worship Him yourself. If you have been shrewd in finding out the shortcomings of others, remember that will be exactly how you will be measured. The way you pay is the way life will pay you back. (With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you Matt 7:2)(-You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Ro. 2:1-)Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statements of the Bible. For instance, do we really believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very things we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is humility, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, "Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore, I have no right to judge." Jesus said, "Judge not, that you be not judged" ( Matthew 7:1 ). He went on to say, in effect, "If you do judge, you will be judged in exactly the same way." Who of us would dare to stand before God and say, "My God, judge me as I have judged others"? We have judged others as sinners— if God should judge us in the same way, we would be condemned to hell. Yet God judges us on the basis of the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ. --Oswald Chambers------Jonathan Edwards, by the way, wrote a powerful convicting piece on evidences of spiritual pride and this is one of seven that he listed, fault-finding. He said, "Spiritual pride causes us to speak of other people's sins while humility disposes us either to be silent about them or to speak about them with grief." He said, "The spiritually proud person shows that in finding fault with other saints, "They're low in grace, how cold and dead they are, how quick to discern and to notice their deficiencies."And we can do that and sound so pious, so spiritual. "So and so- they're so cold; they're so dead." Is that a reflection of pride in our hearts? He says, "Christian humility causes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others and make the best of it and to diminish their failings." He said, "The truly humble Christian has so much to do at home and sees so much evil in his own heart that he's not apt to be very busy with other's hearts" - fault-finding.Here is a great article called 41 Evidences of PrideI read this article this morning and really pondered on it, of what I was truly guilty of. I think it is important to not just skim over these but say "if I am guilty of this, I need to change." Lord, search our hearts. If I have been critical, but in myself there is still pride (even spiritual pride), I am a hypocrite. Instead of focusing on others faults, help us to see our own faults and impress on us the urgency to work on them on them. Help us to walk humbly before You.In His love, chanin

moreofHim wrote:Criticizing and FaultfindingInstead of focusing on others faults, help us to see our own faults and impress on us the urgency to work on them on them. I do understand we should not keep focused 100% of our time on others faults or be critical all the time your right! but as the verses instruct below Every believer has the obligation to test others by their fruits.Matthew 7 passage carefully. It is not a comprehensive injunction against any judgment, just against the wrong kind of judgment. In fact, Every believer has the obligation to test others by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-20 says, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Yes, we can test their fruits, how can we not if we have discernment- but wouldn't it be more beneficial to go to God first about it than use it is gossip? It also has to do with the motives of the heart.Everyone will have their turn at the judgement seat. I want to spend my time making sure my fruit is good. I am responsible for my walk with the Lord, I am not responsible for someone elses walk with the Lord. Though I can pray and intercede for them.Why is it that when we bring up the subject of criticizing, instead of first looking into our hearts and asking if we could be wrong (i have come from a very critical background- so I KNOW I have been wrong) why are we so quick to make excuses for why it's ok to judge and criticize.I think if we would take all this to heart, we might be too busy trying to become more Christ-like and not have hardly any time for finding fault with others. At least that is what I hope for myself.When we get to the judgement seat, I doubt the Lord will say "Chanin, you did a really good job there with your judging. You brought them down and exposed them. Yeah!" No, I am more fearful that He will be inspecting MY fruit.Though there is a place for judging all things, it is not for gossip or light talk and humor. I think we have interpreted this many times in our own way so that we can justify our actions and words.I want to keep my eyes focused straight ahead on Jesus. All of these other things, criticizing, faultfinding, etc... just gets our focus Off Jesus and following Him.In His love, Chaninedit: I encourage anyone that replies to first read 41 Evidences of Pride and ponder them- then respond :-)

Hi Chanin thanks once again.Your timing is always greatly 'suspect' in the purest sense of the word, happily suspect :-) Especially after the long rant just posted from yours truly. Will give this whole link a read again, seem to recall it.But just wanted to parrot off Mr.Bill here with this in mind:or to speak about them with grief." What jumps up is in how things "sound" especially in our writings here amongst ourselves. We can read them and it seems to be nothing more than criticism, ill intent, or even a needless bashing. At other times the tendencies are to 'soften' things to make them more palatable or even as a mask to give it a nice 'Christian' sense of being kind and not prideful. It's difficult to ascertain sometimes what or more like where these things are stemming from, but I pray that we don't have to feel compelled not to speak for the reason of being misunderstood...Criticism or concern? Sometimes it is from the wrong motives and is just that, pride. And just as well if we do look at our own selves I don't know how any of us could ever open our mouths ever again, there is always something that reflects back unto ourselves. Couldn't an equal cop-out be to not say anything at all that could be misconstrued and the fear of just that, that the possibility of being misunderstood, the fear of man or worse that an idea of a 'badge' we wear because the rest of the world and the vast masses of Christianity is being mislead and "we" know better...seems to come from the same smelly stew.Never go away from here without a sense of concern that I may have spoken wrongly and a prayer that if I am off that it would be corrected or brought to light. "Who am I to say such things?" Who am I...period.?!There has certainly been times where the anger has risen up and playing around with the 'righteous indignation' is a bit like dynamite, we can fool ourselves by using it as a justification, I know I have before, one look at some of the BH rantings would show where I had gone off the rails. Just hope we can all keep a right grasp on things and always be ready to be quick to forgive and ready and willing to admit where we are wrong and apologize when we have been in the wrong...otherwise we have definitely missed it.

or to speak about them with griefHi Mikey! I think David Wilkerson would be an excellent example of one who "judges" things aright. You can tell his heart is grieved and he just wants his Lord to be glorified.I have a very deep concern that SI not look like a tabloid newspaper. I know someone mentioned what message boards were for- but SI is different and for good reason. I think most of us here want to grow in Christ-likeness.There are many people who may come to SI and they will "see" our fruit by the words we say (write). By our grace and truth, we may draw those in who may never have experienced these kinds of sermons or truth. (Even catholics :)The more "truth they hear/see, the more likely they will see error. Not always i am sure.But, as you say, there is a difference between a Godly concern over the sheep and the glory of God-- and just judging, critcizing and faultfinding just for it's own sake.I am finding even in my own life, how important it is to show my children that it is better to walk humbly before God and to keep our comments to ourselves and between us and God.I am simply amazed at how my oldest daughter can discern what is "not of Him" simply because we focus on what "IS of Him." Of course, when issues come up and she starts to discern, we discuss why but never in a "we are so much better or spiritual than they", "we" know the truth and they just don't get it". It is a time to show that it is a grievous thing for the Lord and our heart must go out to those who don't know and practice the truth by praying for them.-Even as Moses prayed for the complaining Israelites in the wilderness. yes, they were wrong, yes, they were stubborn,but he cared about them and loved them enough to ask God to spare them. I hope that we love those who we criticize enough to intercede for them and to care about them- for real! not just in words and being spiritually correct.I am all too aware of hypocrites in the church. I hope that we are blameless before we criticize.I don't ever want to be a hypocrite. God says He hates a hypocrite. That is one of my biggest fears. Lord, let me be found blameless- especialy in this area!In His love, Chanin

Thanks again Chanin, of the many things here this:I have a very deep concern that SI not look like a tabloid newspaper. I know someone mentioned what message boards were for- but SI is different and for good reason. I think most of us here want to grow in Christ-likeness.Had picked up on that thought earlier from the same comment and found what he said to be true yet with this hopeful difference, a want to grow. Which brings forth all kinds of struggle and challenges at times, to previously held constructs, certain traditons, 'camps' and so forth. But to be redundant it also is what makes it wonderfully possible to find some true unity in the Body without breaking off into another sect or denominational line. Still chuckle upon reflection of some comments made quite awhile back that "we" were 'obviously' pentecostal/charismatic as if this was all that easy to box us into. If there was any tag that I would welcome it would be just Bible believing followers of Jesus and with that, that everyone would feel welcome here, just be prepared to be challenged on what you may hold dear, because we do indeed care, it's why we are so vocal about it.And about the tabloid, ah you hit that raw nerve there, something that likely many are tired of hearing me snivel about, just hope that there is some kind of balance and again the urge to explore. There is just so many great things in these pages, in these sermons, in all the sharing that goes forth from amongst the Brethren...Those last couple of links Ron (Philologos) put up just a case in point or even this one below from you Chanin. There is no lacking in the sense of sharing and wanting to be of some help around here and for that I praise God.Quick edit:By the way Krispy, had you very much in mind earlier here my friend. It is a want of patience from us all, an asking for clarification and as I believe it was 'Angyl' who had made the aforementioned comment about what message boards were for, understanding that and the 'difference' around here, he is right in not jumping to conclussions, something hopefully we all are getting a little better at day by day. Thanks brother, your heart is shining through...

I don't understand pij post, can someone help me out here I just got in from work been a hard day in the A/C Business "hot and humid" so I am somewhat brain dead. :-?

Am also a bit concerned.What exactely are you guy's alluding to specifically? Compared to the last couple of month's there... I am not following here.Also, wouldn't it be better to try and be of some help? ?

Did anybody happen to read the link that was provided by Chanin at the beginning of this post?That is not an accusation.I couldn't agree with you more. I am saddened that a website like this has turned into what it has. That is why I will no longer be participating in these forums. In the past I have referred people to this site, now I'm not sure I will be doing that anymore. You hit the nail on the head when you said if we have concern we need to go to God on behalf of those we are concerned with. Anything less than that is not Christ-like. Jesus demonstrated one thing at the cross, and that was forgiveness and mercy.Well there is still a couple more things to take into consideration here brother. One is longevity, there are some here who have been with this site for a long time and some of these topics have a bit of history to them. Another is 'tone'(percieved) and a want of patience with each other. Certainly the forum has grown and is growing but a bit of exploring back through the many many posts here will show a wide range of thought as it pertains to this life. I wonder openly how much is being read and chewed on and if we are being good Bereans with everything...To be challenged is not an affront to be attacked and a questioning of our particular reasoning is helpful if we will let it be. How else are we to learn? The mean spirited and divisive for the sake of being divisive does stem from a sense of pride and self-worth and there is no place for mere snipping and backbiting of one another.You hit the nail on the head when you said if we have concern we need to go to God on behalf of those we are concerned with. Anything less than that is not Christ-like. Jesus demonstrated one thing at the cross, and that was forgiveness and mercyA bit unsure how you may be referring that but it seems we must always go to extremes. Are we only hearing what we want to hear? And are we only going to apply the principle of 'love one another' when it's comfortable to do so? It does work out in the opposite direction, when you must confront things that are uncomfortable, it is much easier to apply that principle then especially when it goes against the grain of your particular make up.There seems to be a danger in making assumptions in an either/or construct. One of the beauties of this ongoing discussion around here on so many different matters is the challenge to think deeply and to 'find out if these things are so'.Have learned so much, a great deal from the harder things expressed oftentimes than the more readily agreeable. Have been challenged on the idea of a false pride, a false humility, in softening things that ought not to be softened and just as well as toning down the rhetoric when it is but rhetoric, surely a long way to go and that is in truth, not in cliché'.We would have a hard way of explaining away so much from scripture when it comes to 'hard things'. Paul, Peter, Titus to name a few had strong admonishions towards a number of things, they didn't couch their words to please men nor to Lord it over anyone or exalt themselves, again it's not a badge to wear, perhaps a cross to bear.I know there can be a penchant toward comparing ourselves with ourselves, that we ought not do and just as well towards measuring our response by a siding with a particular apostle...Well, Paul was harsh about... But he also grieved over the things he had to say oftentimes. There has to be a balance to all this and indeed a searching of ourselves as if in a mirror...Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Mat 7:3 - And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye?.... By "mote" is meant, any little bit of straw, or small splinter of wood, that flies into the eye, and does it damage, hinders its sight, and gives it pain; and designs little sins, comparatively speaking, such as youthful follies, human frailties, and infirmities, inadvertencies and imprudencies; which may be said to be light faults, in comparison of others: and though not to be vindicated, nor continued in, yet not to be severely looked upon and chastised. To scrutinize diligently into, aggravate, dwell upon, and sharply reprove the lighter faults of others, is a conduct, which is here inveighed against, and condemned by Christ; and more especially, when it may be said with the greatest truth and justice to such, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye: by the "beam" is meant, greater sins, grosser abominations, and such as were more peculiar to the Pharisees; as pride, arrogance, a vain opinion of themselves, confidence in their own righteousness, hypocrisy, covetousness, and iniquity; things they did not advert to in themselves, when they loudly exclaimed against lesser evils in others. Such men must be of all persons inexcusable, who condemn that in others, which either they themselves do, or what is abundantly worse.John Gill

After reading the article on pride I can only conclude that I am prideful. It's really awful.Thanks, more of Him for this post. I couldn't agree with you more. I am saddened that a website like this has turned into what it has. That is why I will no longer be participating in these forums. Amen. I have felt the same way. As I have prayed for SermonIndex I have grown increasingly concerned.Regarding self-expulsion from SI, I think the real answer might just be some time away. A single week did the trick for me...I found that my regard for the people in here is more enduring then my regard for whatever important opinion or position I was concerned about. Even though most of us are faceless to one another, I actually care about the people in here! I'm thankful that people don't take me too serious.Writing is much more volatile then speaking because we are liable to project our own fragile emotions onto each others words. I think any forum, not just SI, is going to be like the inside of a nuclear reactor. Peoples' emotions are being split open by the words that are bouncing around in these walls...then in turn more words are written and more emotions are split. Now and then the whole thing threatens to overheat unless it is moderated by some intervening person who brings stability to the mixture. In normal face to face conversations, things have a harder time heating up because we can read each other much more readily.Considering this, I think SI is a fairly heathly place. I would kindly suggest taking a week off before banning yourself! However if you feel it is right for you to leave then don't leave angry. Go with God!Blessings

Hey Stephen,But I'm not sure help is wanted...Help wanted! Apply here! :-) I do understand your sentiments and know that certainly many and Greg especially appreciate your prayers for this place. We could use some balance, there is so much here to learn and grow from, so many different areas to explore, certainly much that is edifying.

Writing is much more volatile then speakingThanks Mike,If that isn't the truth...All this, well said.

I feel any forum anywhere of any type unless you actually know the person and have spoken with them personally, you can't even begin to really figure out anyone's post or their heart or if it is just a good healthy debate or actually criticizing . I will be honest with you I left my recent Bible Study because of the debates although not heated I just "personally" don't like getting into even warm debates over the Word of God, yes I miss it very much but I felt it was not healthy for my spirit for a person between the milk and meat so I made the decision to leave. I personally have corresponded in personal messages to many in this forum even the ones that when I first joined were, I thought critical and found them to be good folks and all they sincerely want to do is bring certain things out of the dark into the light, and I am ok with that because I don't feel this is being critical that maybe God does have this person here for this reason and some of us that may be in the dark about certain things and can be made aware. I Love this place and I personally feel that God has ministered to me and many others here through many different people "in many different ways" what we all must remember is Satan is going to keep the stick stirring here, that is his job and he does his job very well "believe me" and the only way to defeat him is to keep the debates healthy, and if for some reason you feel that some post is getting critical, I would just not participate in it and maybe if anything kick back and just read it then if you disagree you have posted nothing so that keep you free and out of the fire and keeps old slue foot at bay. I feel God wants everyone that is here "HERE" or you would have never found this place, so are we going to let old Satan defeat up by cutting and running? or are we the children of the most High God? and stay and spread the good news and just put on the full armor of God, because satan has already been defeated at the Cross.

Sometimes it hurts if someone is right about an issue that is close at heart, but that is what growing is all about. If we never have a disagreement on anything, and that is how I see these things at SI, we would be in a perfect place. If everybody was exactly the same in appearance, mindset, etc. this would be a perfect place. I would have liked to hear Peter and Paul "disagree", maybe most of us would have disagreed with one of them, or ?? If you have been annoyed, hurt, pricked, or downright angry at any of my comments please feel free to send me an e-mail or a PM or blast me on this page, but as MrBillPro writes, don't run, you'll just find it staring you straight in the face somewhere else. If that happens, please consider, maybe you yourself was the problem. Don't let anger or any of its cousins get hold of you nor grow inside, it tends to make one blind.Feel free to disagree. With blessings.jouko