Matthew 7:1-3 reads, ” Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” The Message translation makes clear a critical spirit is the result of judging other people. “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.”
The Message goes on to translate verses 2-5 as follows. “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you.’ when your face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.” “A holier-than-thou” attitude is convicting to me as I encounter the decadence of our day.
I must confess that I am convicted of having a “critical spirit.” In today’s cultural environment, which is intensely polluted with anger, , and vindictive attitudes, I have to be vigilant to not pick up a “critical spirit.” Rather I desire to be loving, forgiving and putting the best construction on another person’s belief, behavior, and especially attitude.
Years ago I was influenced by the healing ministry of John and Paula Sandford. I learned that a critical or judging spirit, will set in motion the principle of sowing and reaping. They taught, “The fundamental laws of God are written into the universe and affect our lives as surely as gravity.” When we transgress these laws, we set in motion forces that will be reaped by a simple, impersonal law. “In our sinful responses to wounding, we begin early to develop patterns of behavior that cause us to reap in adulthood the very things we hate.”
We will sow and reap in kind. We judge and do more of the same. “The pain we reap often seems out of proportion to the harm we have done. But Matthew 7 is clear. “A critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.” We are reminded in Gal 6:7, “Don’t be mislead. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow.” “This means we cannot ever lose our reward, but neither can we escape our fleshly deeds. Those who think they have gotten away with something fleshly will nevertheless reap harm. In fact, the longer a sin goes unrepented, the greater the reaping will be. ‘They sow the wind, and they reap the whirlwind’ ” (Hosea 8:7)
Here are three principles I have to continue to practice, so as not to develop a “critical spirit.” First, I need to practice a lifestyle of unilateral forgiveness. There will be sharp disagreements with others, I will have a different lifestyle and I will not agree with the behavior and attitudes of others. But I owe them the love and acceptance of the Lord. “What is important is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal 5:6).
Secondly, I don’t want to be someone who complains and argues about our negative culture. “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you” (Phil 2:14).
Thirdly, in the midst of so much bad news, I want to be an instrument of “Good News.” “The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News” (Mark 1:15). Focusing on the kingdom is “Good News.”
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