Is Criticism Our Habit?

 N. T. #73"Is Criticism Our Habit?"

May 18, 2023

Judge not, that ye be not judged. (verse 1)

Matthew 7

LET IT GLOW

I think the population around here has doubled in the past few years. Houses are going up in additions like crazy. People from out of state are moving into ours. That results in traffic congestion.  We wait to get onto the highway, wait at stop lights, have cars pull out in front of us not wanting to stop or wait. The list could go on. Let me tell you, this problem is trying everyone's patience. We get angry and speak badly of the other drives, and then turn around and do those same things to others. Whew!

Jesus is teaching how to conduct ourselves in reference to others.

Judge means to distinguish; decide (mentally or judicially); condemn; punish: condemn, avenge; sentence to.

So, what are to learn from this one verse?

• Judging others is prohibited. We must judge ourselves and our own motives and actions, not others. 
• If we do not judge others, then we will not be judged. 
• Christ is the qualified only one to judge, not us.
• Judging others usurps God's authority.

Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law. (James 4:11a,b)

Criticism seems to be a practice that is in abundance. Instead of helping with a task, folks criticize the one doing it. We aren't perfect people, so we should not expect others to do a perfect job, right? Yet we do. (Guilty) It is easy to point out a failure. It seems to boost our own self-image, but it only reveals our pride, ego, low self-esteem. After all, we are probably guilty of doing the same thing or thinking it.

When others fall short or fail, let's encourage them; thank them for trying; accept their non-perfect ways. Honey attracts more than vinegar.

1 John 1:8 says, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

LET IT GROW

For you will be treated as you treat others. The same standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (verse 2)

How can we judge the inner motives of another? We can't read their thoughts. We may think they are trying to take over a project when in reality they are only trying to help. 

We must have a discerning spirit. False prophets were teaching false doctrine. We should be watchful that the Truth of the Word is actually truth. We can be fruit inspectors.

In relation to drivers, we can allow others into our line so they don't have such a long wait. Courtesy can go a long way. Some day we may be late and need kindness shown to us.

LET IT GO

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)