If
your family is anything like mine, the time when everyone comes home from
school can be a tense situation as everyone gets used to living with one
another again. The long vacations are often not harmonious as we all, myself
included, criticize every little thing that does not happen to our liking. We
send disgusted looks when someone wears a rather original outfit or sneak in a
scathing comment when another family member does not sweep the floor well
enough. Every single thing is seen as being wrong and is immediately subjected
to judgment.
The
same issues often arise in the church, as we come into contact with individuals
of different backgrounds and gifts. Again, we find ourselves judging others who
do not dress up enough for services or have taken a completely different
approach at conducting worship. What makes it worse is that most of this
criticism takes place behind our fellow believers’ backs. Tearing down our
brothers and sisters in Christ becomes our focus, rather than praising God. Our
mission of spreading the gospel to all people cannot be accomplished if we are
too busy nitpicking the actions of fellow members of our congregation. Instead,
we are called to build each other up with encouragement, which will bring us
much closer to a unified goal.
Negative criticism does not benefit anyone
Judgmental
criticism can easily become a sinful habit. Many people criticize and judge
others because they think it will make them feel better about themselves. In reality,
they remain just as empty inside. Being judgmental toward others cannot fill
whatever void is inside them. A critical individual is only doing more and more
damage every time they openly judge a fellow believer. People will be pushed
away if we continually tear apart their opinions or ideas. We are told “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of
your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). We can reach
more of our fellow believers by encouraging them in their work for Christ. They
will be more responsive to our opinions and our teaching of the Word if we
speak words of encouragement.
We do not know what others are going through in their
lives
We
want to be careful about criticizing others, because we do not know what is
happening in their private lives. Every Christian struggles with something. Even
if they do not show it, it does not mean that there is not more going on in the
background. Criticism can bring down their spirits and make it more difficult
for them to trust the promises that God has given. Our judgment can block them from
reaching out for help when they need it. “We
who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please
ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbor for his goo to build him up”
(Romans 15:1-2). Our role as Christians is not to elevate ourselves by tearing
others down, but humbling ourselves to be servants to those who need it.
Encouraging words show our love for others as well as our willingness to help
them in every situation.
Everyone has gifts and talents that are worthy of praise
The God-pleasing
lives that we do see deserve our honor and respect. God has bestowed the blessing
of numerous talents and abilities on his people. These gifts exist to serve the
church is a variety of ways and each person has a place in the mission of
spreading the gospel. Instead of discouraging others from using their gifts
because it’s “not the way we do things,” we seek to praise others for their
humble service to the church. “Since you
are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the
church” (1 Corinthians 14:12). Recognizing the amazing talents of others
compels us to use our own gifts to the best of our ability. By encouraging everyone to use their
abilities to the fullest, we, in turn, are encouraged to do the same.
We are only perfect through Christ
While
we strive to live according to God’s commands, we are unable to constantly
resist temptation. No one is perfect, we all know this full well. Every single
individual born into this world has inherited sin and is unable to keep from
sinning on a daily basis. Our criticism of others is a perfect example of this.
But why tear down others when we fall under the same temptations that they do
and will be subjected to the same judgment by God on the Last Day? Only through
faith in Christ can we be perfect in God’s eyes. Therefore, criticizing the
actions of others is hypocritical, since our sins are just as numerous as those
of any other Christian. Instead, we are invited to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that
none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). Until the day that Christ takes take us home
to heaven, we want to take every opportunity to build up our fellow Christians.
Every
day we are presented with opportunities to encourage our brothers and sisters
in Christ. By working together and building one another up, the mission of the church
can be carried out to all parts of the world. When we are tempted to criticize
or judge others, we remember that Christ never judged us, but loved us enough
to sacrifice himself for the sake of our sins. Our eternal judgment has been
taken away forever because of our Lord. Through his gracious love, we have
become his children, forever free from judgment. In his name, we seek to build
one another up always, that we may continue to live in blessing under God’s
almighty hand.
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