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Joy Busters: Criticism (A Critical Spirit)
Judge not, that you be not judged.
Matthew 7:1
Recommended Reading
Matthew 7:1-6
With the rising trend of healthy eating, many people have returned to the practice of gardening. Sure the food may be better for us, and it may save us a few dollars, but it is also tedious work. Just one unnoticed weed can quickly make its way through the entire garden.
Much like an unkempt garden, Christians are susceptible to being over-run by a critical spirit. We allow a judgmental thought to linger too long, and it takes root. Soon it has infiltrated our lives--including those around us. Rather than being an encourager, a builder for Christ, we've become Satan's destructive tool. As George D. Watson once said, "[Criticism] is a parasite which…fastens itself on the tree of religion, and seeks to spread itself until it claims to be the tree, and…if not killed off, will succeed in killing the tree."
How do we avoid the strangling weeds of a critical spirit? Begin looking at things "NLOE" (in light of eternity). Focusing on eternity and desiring others to join us there will certainly help us to be less critical and more about encouraging others and spreading God's love, showing them we are a "(follower of Christ)!
It is a delusion of Satan to get religious people to mistake censoriousness for sanctity.
George D. Watson
Read-thru-the-Bible
Proverbs 3:1 – 5:23; Proverbs 6:1 – 8:36
Devotional: Turning Point Ministries
Judge not, that you be not judged.
Matthew 7:1
Recommended Reading
Matthew 7:1-6
With the rising trend of healthy eating, many people have returned to the practice of gardening. Sure the food may be better for us, and it may save us a few dollars, but it is also tedious work. Just one unnoticed weed can quickly make its way through the entire garden.
Much like an unkempt garden, Christians are susceptible to being over-run by a critical spirit. We allow a judgmental thought to linger too long, and it takes root. Soon it has infiltrated our lives--including those around us. Rather than being an encourager, a builder for Christ, we've become Satan's destructive tool. As George D. Watson once said, "[Criticism] is a parasite which…fastens itself on the tree of religion, and seeks to spread itself until it claims to be the tree, and…if not killed off, will succeed in killing the tree."
How do we avoid the strangling weeds of a critical spirit? Begin looking at things "NLOE" (in light of eternity). Focusing on eternity and desiring others to join us there will certainly help us to be less critical and more about encouraging others and spreading God's love, showing them we are a "(follower of Christ)!
It is a delusion of Satan to get religious people to mistake censoriousness for sanctity.
George D. Watson
Read-thru-the-Bible
Proverbs 3:1 – 5:23; Proverbs 6:1 – 8:36
Devotional: Turning Point Ministries
