‘Judge not, that you be not
judged.’ Matthew 7:1
Parent, you can break your
child’s spirit by emphasising what they do wrong rather than what they do
right. Church member, you can discourage your pastor through criticism or
encourage him until he enters the fullness of all that God’s called him to be.
Why do we choose to be critics rather than cheerleaders? Because it’s easier to
point out the faults of others than deal with our own! By dwelling on their
shortcomings, we feel better about ourselves. But Jesus doesn’t let us off the
hook: ‘How can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck in your eye”;
and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite!’ (vv. 4-5 NKJV). Think of the person, group, or organisation you’re most critical of, and whom you criticise them to. Are you trying to increase your stature in the eyes of others? Are you carrying within you unhealed wounds and unresolved issues, so you vent your anger at anybody who gets in your way? Jesus said: ‘For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned’ (Matthew 12:34-37 NKJV). What’s the answer? Pray: ‘Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD’ (Psalm 19:14 KJV).
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