THE FOOLISHNESS OF CRITICISM

 

Romans 14:9-12  For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (NIV)

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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While constructive criticism is a helpful part of academic discipline, socially, it is destructive and in the church it is a menace. That is not just because it hurts people, but because the critic has no understanding of the judgement seat of Christ. Such a person has no practical eternal-perspective and is consumed by self-importance, which reduces fellowship to a formality and team-working ministry to a power struggle.

Paul said that the death and resurrection of Christ are not just the means of salvation but are also the authority for God's judgement. If we believe in a risen Saviour we need to understand that we have also bowed to the authority of a righteous judge. So, to criticise other believers is foolish, because: we can never know all the facts, we have no authority over our brother, and we ourselves will have to present ourselves before the throne of God to tell Him everything we have ever done.

Yet wagging tongues continue to erode love within the church and the integrity of its witness. The high opinions of ignorant believers are often more destructive than attacks from unbelievers: as the foundations of trust are undermined and love becomes more guarded. The church cannot afford such luxury, and the gospel-hungry world watches impatiently hoping to get a glimpse of God's love. What is the solution? Every believer needs to understand the gravity of appearing before God's judgement seat and the necessity to be humble before the Cross. That will bring faith and relationships into the sharp focus of eternity. It will also help us to look around us at those the Lord is calling to Himself.

Prayer:  Almighty God. Thank You for being the only ultimate authority in the universe. I repent of attempting to do Your job for You and for my foolish criticisms, assuming that I have a right to judge the actions and motives of others. Please help me to learn how to live with an honest view of my own sinfulness without comparing myself to others. May I learn a fresh humility which starts back at the Cross of Jesus and learn to love as Jesus did. In His Name. Amen.